ABU DHABI // A man who told a woman to “get lost” did not mean to insult her, the appeals court heard on Wednesday.
NR, an Emirati, was accused of verbally attacking the two daughters of KI, who lived in a rented majlis at NR’s father’s house, and attacking the privacy of their home.
On the day of the incident, NR brought a technician and gardener to fix a lock on an electricity room behind the majlis.
”The majlis has a separate entrance and gate. I entered from the main gate which leads to our house,” explained NR.
“As we were fixing the lock his daughter came and started asking what we were doing. I told her we are fixing the door and that she should leave.”
The daughter, however, stayed, the court heard.
“I told her she must leave because it was not a place for a woman to stand between men at work.”
The court questioned NR about the verbal abuse mentioned in the lawsuit.
His lawyer explained that whatever NR said was simply to order the woman to leave because it was inappropriate.
“So did you tell her ‘engal’i’ (get lost) or not?” asked the Judge.
The lawyer explained that this word in the local dialect was to order her to leave and not insult her.
“What about the other daughter, she also filed a complaint?” asked the judge.
NR said there was only one woman present during the incident, and the other daughter only testified that she heard the conversation.
A verdict will be announced March 24.
hdajani@thenational.ae
