Settlement reached in stabbing over rumour-spreading

DUBAI // A man accused of tying up his colleague and roommate, then stabbing him in the neck after accusing him of spreading word that he was homosexual, was cleared today after a settlement.

The Egyptian AM, 27, had denied attempting to kill his compatriot MA, 37, in the Dubai Criminal Court of First Instance.

According to records, the two worked at glass installation company and on the day of the incident, in December 2010, they returned to their apartment in International City for a midday break.

MA told prosecutors he took a one-hour nap in the bedroom, and when he woke, he saw AM sitting on the bed holding a rope. He said AM convinced him that he wanted to play a magical game included tying him up. He testified that AM tied his hands and legs, and wrapped the rope around his body.

After MA untied himself, AM then told him he heard MA was talking about him behind his back, telling people AM was gay, records show. MA said he denied it, but AM grabbed a kitchen knife and stabbed him in the neck while he was watching TV.

Records say AM stabbed him four more times, in the abdomen and face, shouting, "Die, die, die – you scandalized me, all of Egypt knows I'm gay."

MA said he got the knife away from AM, who bit him in the arm. Then MA went downstairs and told the security guard to call rescue workers and police.

MA said AM followed him down and told him, "You shouldn't die – I am the one who should die."

salamir@thenational.ae