Brothel boss jailed for kidnapping informer

DUBAI // A brothel manager who kidnapped a police informer was today sentenced to six months in jail.

The 28-year-old, with the help of another man, lured a Bangladeshi blacksmith to an apartment in Naif on December 28 before assaulting him and locking him in the bathroom for four days. The men demanded he pay them Dh15,000 to regain his freedom.

"When I asked them why they did this to me, they said they were taking revenge because I informed police they were running a brothel," the blacksmith told investigating policemen.

Officers rescued him following a tip off, heard the Dubai Criminal Court of First Instance.

Eisa Bin Hayder, the lawyer for the brothel boss, claimed the arrest procedures were illegal. "The victim was deported two days following the alleged crime your honour and prosecution did not take his testimony," said Mr Bin Hayder, who added that there were no witnesses available to back up the blacksmith's story.

However, a medical report found that bruising on the blacksmith's body was consistent with his story.

MS, from Bangladesh, was charged with running a brothel and kidnapping. He will be deported following the completion of his prison term.

salamir@thenational.ae