DUBAI // Family and Juvenile prosecutors are investigating a stabbing outside Dubai's popular Grand Cinema they say was motivated by jealousy over flirting.
Prosecutors say that on July 30, a 22-year-old Emirati man stabbed an 18-year-old Emirati during an argument. The 22-year-old is in police custody; neither person is identified in documents.
MORE UAE NEWS: Our pick of today's top local news stories
Dubai freezes price of power and water Dubai has promised to keep power and water prices fixed for 'years', offering relief to consumers struggling with the rising cost of other goods. Read article
Death toll from burst tyres rises to 13 in six months There were 41 accidents and 13 people killed as a result of blown tyres during the first half of this year. Read article
Limited protection for pregnant women against unfair dismissal UAE law offers no specific protection to pregnant women in the workplace - meaning they can be fired simply for being with child. Read article
[ MORE UAE NEWS ]
According to investigation records and police reports, the two men started arguing after the 22-year-old spotted the teenager flirting with girls from his neighbourhood.
Brig Gen Khalil Ibrahim al Mansoori, Director of the Dubai Police Criminal Investigation Department, said witnesses told police the 22-year-old stabbed the younger man four times as he talked to two girls in a car in the cinema's car park.
"During the arrest of the suspect, he resisted officers fiercely but was then subdued. He claimed to us during interrogations that he received a call from one of the girls, who said the victim was following them and flirting with them," he said.
The 18-year-old was taken to Rashid Hospital and underwent emergency surgery because one of the four wounds punctured his kidney, according to police.
"The Family and Juvenile Prosecution office was handed the case file on [August 7] after one of the assailants was discovered to have been a minor," said Prosecutor Eisa Mohammed Sabt, who is investigating the case.
"We have detained the defendant, but have released the four other boys with him on bail," Mr Sabt added. "We are currently waiting for the hospital's report on the incident and have requested Grand Cinema to provide us with the CCTV footage."
Mr Sabt said the girls involved would be asked to testify as well.
"Currently we have not charged the suspects, but they have been referred to us on the suspicion of assault with a cold weapon," he said.
amustafa@thenational.ae
