DUBAI // A 20-year-old Pakistani worker denied stabbing his countryman to death in a row over money, Dubai Criminal Court heard on Tuesday.
“He attacked me with the knife, which belongs to him, then I had to defend myself and he got injured during the fight,” said the defendant.
Prosecutors said that on July 3 Dubai Police received a report of a dead body in a car park in Naif, after which police and forensic units were dispatched to the scene.
“I was parking a customer’s car when I found the dead body so I rushed to my colleague and told him then he called police,” said an Afghan witness, 29.
Police identified the victim by answering his phone, which started ringing as police and forensic experts were examining the body.
“We answered and it turned out that his workplace was calling to inquire about him,” said an Emirati policeman. He added that police questioned the victim’s co-workers and some of his relatives and found out that he was last seen with the defendant.
The next morning police arrested the accused, whose right hand was bandaged. “When we checked his hand, we found a knife wound caused by when he held the sharp end of the knife to avoid a stab,” said the officer.
During interrogations, the defendant said he had known the victim for the last two years and lived with him in the same apartment for a while before moving about four months before the murder.
He said he was saving money with the victim and that night he called him asking for Dh200 to buy himself some new clothes to celebrate Eid Al Fitr.
“He told us that the victim told him to meet after iftar at the car park and, when they did, the victim refused to give him money and took out a knife from under his clothes and tried to stab him,” added the officer.
The defendant told prosecutors that he managed to grab the knife’s sharp end, which caused him a deep cut, then he used it to stab the victim in his bottom and neck before fleeing the scene, leaving the knife and fingerprints behind.
His supervisor told prosecutors that the defendant requested his passport that day and said he needed to travel home for an emergency.
The defendant denied a charge of premeditated murder.
The next hearing will be on October 23.
salamir@thenational.ae
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Why does a queen bee feast only on royal jelly?
Some facts about bees:
The queen bee eats only royal jelly, an extraordinary food created by worker bees so she lives much longer
The life cycle of a worker bee is from 40-60 days
A queen bee lives for 3-5 years
This allows her to lay millions of eggs and allows the continuity of the bee colony
About 20,000 honey bees and one queen populate each hive
Honey is packed with vital vitamins, minerals, enzymes, water and anti-oxidants.
Apart from honey, five other products are royal jelly, the special food bees feed their queen
Pollen is their protein source, a super food that is nutritious, rich in amino acids
Beewax is used to construct the combs. Due to its anti-fungal, anti-bacterial elements, it is used in skin treatments
Propolis, a resin-like material produced by bees is used to make hives. It has natural antibiotic qualities so works to sterilize hive, protects from disease, keeps their home free from germs. Also used to treat sores, infection, warts
Bee venom is used by bees to protect themselves. Has anti-inflammatory properties, sometimes used to relieve conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, nerve and muscle pain
Honey, royal jelly, pollen have health enhancing qualities
The other three products are used for therapeutic purposes
Is beekeeping dangerous?
As long as you deal with bees gently, you will be safe, says Mohammed Al Najeh, who has worked with bees since he was a boy.
“The biggest mistake people make is they panic when they see a bee. They are small but smart creatures. If you move your hand quickly to hit the bees, this is an aggressive action and bees will defend themselves. They can sense the adrenalin in our body. But if we are calm, they are move away.”
How to donate
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
