Men 'who assaulted coffee shop manager' have acquittal upheld

DUBAI // Two men accused of assaulting the manager of a coffee shop in a row over the toilets have had their acquittal upheld by the Appeals Court.

MM, 22, from Egypt, and SM, 23, an Emirati, became involved in an altercation with the cafe's manager MB, 37, from Lebanon, on July 23, 2011, after being accused of peeping at the women's restroom.

An security guard at the cafe, located behind the American Hospital, said the pair had been prevented from entering the cafe as there were no available tables but that he noticed one of came in anyway, asking to use the toilet. He said about 10 minutes later the manager threw the man out, at which point the man's friends came and attacked the manager.

The Appeals Court upheld a Criminal Court verdict clearing the two men of assault charges.

salamir@thenational.ae