A Moroccan man has been sentenced to three years in prison by the Dubai Criminal Court for his involvement in an armed robbery and illegal detention. The crime took place on March 30, 2024, in Dubai’s Naif district when a group of masked attackers broke into a travel and tourism company, threatened an employee with machetes, and stole AED247,000 from the safe.
The victim, a Guinean national, was restrained and terrorized during the robbery. The defendant later claimed he was coerced into participating by a group of African men who had previously attacked him in Sharjah and stolen his belongings. However, his defense was rejected as unconvincing, with the court finding no supporting evidence for his claims, reported Khaleej Times.
A police officer who testified in court confirmed that the Moroccan suspect stuck to his story throughout the investigation. However, authorities remained doubtful of his assertions. The prosecution argued that his claim of coercion lacked credibility, especially since he was actively involved in planning and executing the robbery.
The court convicted the defendant of armed robbery and illegal detention, emphasizing the serious consequences of such crimes in Dubai, where aggressive offenses are met with strict legal action.
