Dubai Criminal Court has sentenced a Moroccan man to three years in prison for armed robbery and unlawful detention. The incident occurred on the evening of March 30, 2024, when the defendant and several accomplices forcibly entered a travel and tourism office in the Naif area.
Details of the Armed Robbery
The Moroccan man posed as a visitor, knocking on the office door. When an employee, a Guinean national, opened it, five masked men stormed inside, locked the door, and restrained the employee. They threatened him with a machete, assaulted him, and demanded access to the office’s safe.The victim recounted in court: “After I opened the door, a number of masked men stormed in carrying machetes. They assaulted me, grabbed the safe key from my pocket, and stole the money.” The robbers made off with AED 247,000, which belonged to the business owner.
Arrest and Court Proceedings
Following the robbery, the employee reported the crime to the police, leading to an investigation that resulted in the arrest of the Moroccan defendant. He initially confessed but claimed he acted under duress from accomplices who had threatened him.During questioning, he stated that three men had attacked him in Sharjah before the robbery and coerced him into participating in exchange for returning his stolen belongings. However, the court found his claims unconvincing.
Evidence and Verdict
The court relied on various pieces of evidence, including witness testimonies, surveillance footage, and the victim’s identification of the defendant during a line-up. As a result, he was sentenced to three years in prison and fined AED 247,000. After serving his sentence, he will face deportation.Three Nigerian co-defendants were acquitted due to insufficient evidence linking them to the crime. The court noted inconsistencies in witness statements and a lack of definitive proof against them.
Conclusion
This case highlights Dubai’s commitment to maintaining safety and security within its communities. The swift legal action taken against the perpetrator underscores the effectiveness of law enforcement in addressing crime in the region.
