DUBAI // Two men have denied trying to rape a Moroccan tourist after offering her a ride home.
The Dubai Criminal Court heard that A K, 26, arrived in the country in July this year looking for a business opportunity.
She told prosecutors that she stayed in a villa in Al Rashidiya with other women.
On August 1, she left a hotel cafe at nearly 3.30am and was waiting for a taxi when a black Mercedes stopped and the driver offered her a lift.
“He told me that my destination was on his way and that I wouldn’t find a cab at that hour, so I got into his car only to see that another man was in the back seat,” said the victim.
Records showed that the two men drove to their apartment instead of taking the woman home and told her that they needed to change their clothes before dropping her off. She joined them in their flat.
She told prosecutors she hesitated at first but then accompanied them because she did not think they would do her harm.
“But when we were at the doorstep, one of them pushed me inside the flat while the other pulled me by my hair,” the tourist said.
“I fought back and resisted but I fell to the ground then they threw me on a bed and ripped my clothes off before one of them banged my head on the wall. I fainted and only woke up to them spraying my face with water.”
She when she regained consciousness the men forced her into a bathroom then snatched her purse and mobile phone when she tried to make a call.
“I took my purse back then started screaming as one of them was trying to gag me, but I managed to run away and call police,” she said.
Half an hour later a police patrol arrived and the woman was taken to hospital for treatment.
The two men were arrested the next day.
“Her shirt’s buttons were damaged and she had some bruises on her knees,” said H A, 29, an Emirati policeman.
Syrians D H, 36, and K A, 43, both denied a charge of attempted rape.
Their lawyer requested the court summon the woman for cross examination.
The next hearing is scheduled for October 11.
salamir@thenational.ae
