Man curses judge in Dubai court

DUBAI // A man accused of setting fire to his pillow while in solitary confinement at the central jail insulted a Dubai Criminal Court judge this morning.

AT, an unemployed Emirati, 47, was in court to face charges of deliberately setting fire to an inhabited place, damaging a Dh15 pillow and posing a risk to lives of others. In a separate case, he is accused of using a lighter to set his Dh85 blanket on fire on May 5.

Instead of entering a plea, AT denied the charges.

"Where is the pillow they claim I set fire to? I was beaten," he asked the judge.

The judge asked who had beaten him.

"Ask the government," said AT, who then started shouting, saying he needed sufficient time to defend himself or he would leave the courtroom.

Records show AT set fire to his pillow on April 23 in an attempt to get out of solitary confinement.

When the judge said a verdict would be issued on July 31, the defendant walked back to the detention room saying: "God curse your father and the prosecution's."

salamir@thenational.ae