ABU DHABI // A sexual harassment victim pardoned her attacker after discovering he suffers from psychological issues at the Criminal Court on Tuesday.
E S, an Emirati, has been accused by four women of harassing them in the street by touching them inappropriately.
Three of the victims pardoned him while the case was with public prosecution and only the remaining woman’s case was referred to the Criminal Court.
At the beginning of the hearing, Chief Justice Sayed Idris Bin Mansour made E S stand with another defendant. He then asked the woman to identify her attacker and she pointed at E S.
E S told the judge he has never seen the woman before.
“But she identified you,” argued the judge.
“I don’t remember anything or any of the incidents,” he told the court.
His lawyer presented a psychiatric report that shows the defendant suffers from a lack of awareness and psychological issues.
“I don’t remember anything, and we are in Ramadan so would she forgive me?” asked E S.
The woman said since he suffers from psychological issues she will withdraw her accusation and pardon him.
A verdict will be announced on July 8.
Sexual harassment is ordinarily punished by imprisonment and deportation for expats. The sentence could be as long as 15 years.
However, when the victim withdraws his or her accusation it is usually leads to a lighter sentence. Usually if defendants are proven to be unaware of their actions they are cleared by the court of all charges.
hdajani@thenational.ae
