A man was raped and murdered before his body was buried in the Dubai desert, a court heard.
The 30-year-old Pakistani died of suffocation after he was tied up and had his mouth stuffed with sand.
His body was found, covered in sand and rocks, two weeks after his disappearance by workers at a labour accommodation in Jebel Ali on March 16, Dubai Criminal Court was told.
Police were alerted and a team of investigators and forensic experts were sent to the scene.
Investigations revealed the victim was captured on CCTV footage at a petrol station with two men shortly before his death.
Police identified the two men and tracked down one of them, aged 21. The second man left the country a day after he was seen with the victim.
The man was arrested and during questioning admitted to murder and said his co-accused plotted the attack, the court heard.
During questioning, he said the second man, 31, had raped the man before they tied him up.
The other suspect filled the victim's mouth with sand, he said.
He told police his partner had asked him to arrange a meeting with the man.
“He told us that the other defendant provided him with the victim’s mobile number and asked him to call the man and arrange for a meeting,” said a police officer.
The two met the victim near his residence in Jebel Ali then took him in a car belonging to their company to a remote area.
“He [the co-accused] was angry and screaming at the man accusing him of defaming him, then told me to rape the victim but I refused, so he raped him then asked me to hand a rope from the car’s booth,” the defendant told the court.
He told police his co-accused took the victim's mobile phone and wallet before they dug a hole and buried him.
The defendant denied a premeditated murder charge, admitting he was present but saying he did not take part in the killing.
The other accused, who is still at large, will face charges of premeditated murder, rape and theft.
The case was adjourned until October 16 for a lawyer to be appointed for the defendant.
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
How being social media savvy can improve your well being
Next time when procastinating online remember that you can save thousands on paying for a personal trainer and a gym membership simply by watching YouTube videos and keeping up with the latest health tips and trends.
As social media apps are becoming more and more consumed by health experts and nutritionists who are using it to awareness and encourage patients to engage in physical activity.
Elizabeth Watson, a personal trainer from Stay Fit gym in Abu Dhabi suggests that “individuals can use social media as a means of keeping fit, there are a lot of great exercises you can do and train from experts at home just by watching videos on YouTube”.
Norlyn Torrena, a clinical nutritionist from Burjeel Hospital advises her clients to be more technologically active “most of my clients are so engaged with their phones that I advise them to download applications that offer health related services”.
Torrena said that “most people believe that dieting and keeping fit is boring”.
However, by using social media apps keeping fit means that people are “modern and are kept up to date with the latest heath tips and trends”.
“It can be a guide to a healthy lifestyle and exercise if used in the correct way, so I really encourage my clients to download health applications” said Mrs Torrena.
People can also connect with each other and exchange “tips and notes, it’s extremely healthy and fun”.
