DUBAI // A clerk charged with attempted murder denied the allegations with a smile this morning in a Dubai court.
“I didn’t do it,” the 23-year-old Pakistani AM told the Dubai Criminal Court of First Instance.
“There was a dispute between us, and it's over,” he added, referring to the 19-year-old AH, whom he is accused of attacking.
According to prosecutors, on February 20 AM attempted to kill AH by stabbing him with a dagger in the abdomen.
AM then aimed for AH's neck, but AH dodged and suffered only a cut on his face from his forehead to his chin, records show.
AH, a Somali salesman, said that on the morning of the incident, he had gone to Rashid Port to finish some work for his company. He said AM flew into a rage after missing his turn in a line in which they both were waiting.
AM started screaming and grabbed the clerk to prevent him from finalising the application in front of him, and AH said he pushed AM away. At that point, AM stabbed him in his side, records show. AH knocked him to the ground.
“He fell to the ground and stopped breathing, so I felt scared that something happened to him, and I kneeled to help him get up, when he surprised me with his dagger and injured me in the face,” AH said.
AH and other men in the room closed the door to prevent AM from fleeing and called the police.
A verdict is scheduled for May 25.
salamir@thenational.ae
