DUBAI // A Bangladeshi man has denied murdering a Saudi and then stealing from his International City apartment. NK, 20, a supermarket delivery man, is accused of the pre-meditated murder and theft from AA, who was found dead in August. However, NK told the Criminal Court of First Instance yesterday in Dubai that AA attacked him with a knife, injuring his arms and hands, before he managed to fight back in self-defence.
The Saudi man was reported missing on Aug 22 by two friends who had not heard from him in two days. His body was found in the apartment by police shortly afterwards. The previous day, NK had taken sick leave from work. He had later asked his manager to take him to hospital for a large cut to his arm he said was caused by the shattering of a mirror. The defendant was treated for his injuries and returned home the next day.
The police found seven fingerprint traces from the scene of AA's murder which matched those of NK. The defendant gave no explanation to the court why he was at the apartment. A forensic lab report said the cut on NK's left arm and thumb and on his right hand were sustained around the same date as the murder. Prosecutors said the defendant stole 14 credit cards from AA, as well as an electric razor, a camera and a mobile phone, after stabbing him to death.
The defendant has denied premeditated murder. Judge Abdelmajid al Nizami adjourned the trial until Nov 3 and asked that a lawyer be assigned to defend NK. hbhatish@thenational.ae
