Family argument 'turned into shoot-out'

ABU DHABI // Five Emirati relatives were arrested after a family argument turned into a shoot-out, a court heard yesterday.

Two of the group suffered bullet injuries, but the men told the Criminal Court of First Instance yesterday that the shots were fired only in warning and had not been intended to harm anyone. They told the court they forgave each other and asked the judge to bail them out.

The court heard the five men were arguing when SM fired a number of rounds from his Kalashnikov rifle.

SM faces charges of attempted murder, possessing a gun without a licence and taking drugs - all of which he denies.

BA, who was hit by one of the bullets from SM's rifle, told the court he had recovered from his injury and forgave SM, who he said had not meant to hurt him.

"The bullet hit the ground and then bounced back up hitting my leg," he said.

BA was also accused of attacking SM. However, BA denied this and SM refused to comment. "We just had a fight, I won't take oath, and I forgive BA and give away my right," said SM.

A second bullet from SM's Kalashnikov hit AB, who was also accused of using a firearm without a licence, and not reporting a crime.

BA's brother - who was not named or charged - took the two injured men to hospital and reported the incident to police.

Another family member, GT, denied charges of using a firearm and threatening BA. BA backed up this denial, saying GT had not threatened him.

FK, who did not appear in court yesterday, is also accused of not reporting the crime,

The case has been adjourned until March 26. The five men were not granted bail.

hdajani@thenational.ae