DUBAI // A student who killed a man after punching him on the head because he was angry he had taken photos in a cafe must see out his two-year prison term, the Dubai Court of Appeal has ruled.
The 22-year-old Emirati appealed Dubai Criminal Court’s ruling, while prosecutors also asked for a harsher sentence.
However, the court of appeal upheld the original sentence.
On August 9 last year, the Emirati was at a cafe at the One and Only Royal Mirage hotel in Mina Seyahi with a woman when the Indian victim – who was with an uncle and two friends – began taking pictures at their table about 15 metres away from where the student was sitting.
“He called me over and asked me to go to the victim and ask him to stop,” said an Indian waiter, adding that when he passed on the request to the victim’s party they told him they were only taking photos of themselves.
“I was then surprised to see that the Emirati approached the victim’s table and asked him why he was taking pictures,” the waiter said. “The victim told him it was not his problem but the student did not calm down and accused the other of shouting at him, then punched him in the head twice before the victim fell unconscious.”
The 39-year-old manager arrived after hearing screams and pulled the student away.
“I asked him why had he done that. He said the man took more than 60 pictures. I told him that he should have informed me instead,” the manager said.
The student tried to leave but was stopped by the manager who took his Emirates ID card. However, his guest was allowed to leave.
The manager performed first aid on the victim until an ambulance arrived.
“He had a very weak pulse and I tried to resuscitate his heart,” the manager said. “Then the ambulance arrived and took him to hospital and I learnt later that he had passed away.”
A forensic report showed the victim died as a result of a brain haemorrhage caused by blows to the head.
salamir@thenational.ae
