DUBAI // A group of Emirati women and a female police officer stepped in to help a man who was being strangled with a rope in the Dubai Mall car park, a court heard.
The Pakistani man, 58, was contacted by a young relative on May 22, the Dubai Criminal Court heard, and they met at the victim’s office before driving to the mall.
“We spent two hours shopping then headed to my car,” said the victim. “He moved out of the car saying it was too hot but suddenly he got into the back seat and threw a rope around my neck then pulled it, trying to strangle me.”
The man resisted but his energy was fading, so he started sounding his horn to draw attention.
The court heard his relative, 26, dragged him from the car and pushed him to the ground with the rope tightened around his neck.
The defendant continued to choke the victim and hit his head on the ground.
Alerted by the horn, a group of women ran towards the car. Their screams were heard by an off-duty policewoman.
“He got up and fled and I was screaming at security to catch him,” said the officer, 28.
The victim said he had no idea why his relative would do such a thing as “we have no problems at all”, but a police officer who questioned the suspect said it was because of financial problems.
In court, the defendant denied a charge of attempted murder.
The next hearing is scheduled for October 11.
salamir@thenational.ae
