Man must see out prison term for attacking police officer during raid, Dubai court rules

The man was in bed when police raided his Al Barsha home on October 23, 2016. He woke up and attacked an Emirati officer and shouted insults at him.

DUBAI// A man sentenced to five years behind bars for attacking a police officer during a drugs raid on his home must see out his prison term, the Dubai Court of Appeal ruled.

The 22-year-old Emirati was convicted of assault, issuing insults and using drugs by Dubai Criminal Court. He denied assault and insult charges last February but admitted taking drugs.

“I don’t recall insulting or assaulting him,” he said.

The man was in bed when police raided his Al Barsha home on October 23, 2016. He awoke and attacked an Emirati officer and shouted insults at him.

Police had received a tip-off that the man was a drug user.

“When I woke him up and told him we were police and had a warrant, he attacked me, then insulted me using very foul language,” the officer said.

Police found drugs in the man’s room and a medical report confirmed he had been using drugs. It was not mentioned in court what drugs were found.

He was also fined Dh20,000.