DUBAI // A 22-year-old labourer stabbed his compatriot and colleague following work-related disputes, a court heard this morning.
NK, from Pakistan, claimed that the victim, SK, offered him money to have sex with him. He refused, and a heated argument ensued, during which he stabbed SK in self defence.
The stabbing was reported to police on January 19 after the victim, who was locked in his home, managed to call his roommate. SK was rushed to Rashid hospital where he died four days later.
"He told me NK stabbed him twice," said the roommate, MD, in prosecution records. He insisted that SK would not have had sex with the defendant.
"He was known for his good reputation and he often recited Quran. He was a decent and a God-fearing man, standing as imam in many prayers. No way that he would have done that," said the roommate, 20. Records show that after the two had disputes about work, NK visited the victim who was home sick. He pretended he wanted to check on him but is accused of stabbing SK twice, penetrating his liver and intestines.
He left SK in the room and locked the door with the key from outside, prosecutors said.
Prosecutors charged NK with premeditated murder and charged his compatriot KK with hiding the defendant at his Abu Dhabi home knowing he had committed a murder.
Police arrested KK while he was picking some personal items from the defendant's room ins Dubai in order to take them to the defendant. He led the arresting officers to NK's hiding place.
Neither man entered a plea.
The next hearing will be on September 2 to appoint a lawyer.
