DUBAI // Two Austrian women trespassed into a Saudi woman’s apartment and threatened to throw her over the balcony if she did not give them what they wanted, a Dubai court heard on Monday.
Prosecutors said that on January 26 last year, C T Z, 37, and C D Z, 35, who have fled the country, entered the Dubai Marina apartment of Saudi investor M A, 47, who is their step-mother.
They allegedly pulled the woman by the shoulders, beat her up then threatened to throw her off the balcony if she did not give them important documents and US$4 million (Dh14.7m) in cheques.
Prosecutors charged the pair with issuing threats and assaulting and insulting their victim. They were also charged with robbing M A of four cheques, a renouncement letter for a house in Cyprus, a number of contracts, two hard disks, 38 memory sticks, two gold necklaces worth Dh16,000 and $21,000 in cash.
In addition, they were charged with trespassing.
Dubai Police confirmed that the two Austrians are the daughters of the Saudi woman’s dead husband, who was also Austrian, and that the dispute between them is over inheritance.
The women left the country before the report was made to police and they remain outside the UAE.
“They came into the flat at about 11.30am while I was on my desk and they were carrying two large suitcases,” said the Saudi woman, who did not clarify the nature of her relationship to the defendants nor did she explain their motive behind committing the crime.
“One of them pulled me from my shoulders and I could not resist her, she was like 90kg while I am only 50.”
She said she was trying to hold on to some important documents when the two assaulted her but she managed to dial 999 and report them before they hung up the phone.
“The security guard came and tried to help me but they overpowered him and kicked him out,” said M A.
Indian cleaner S A, 45, testified that he heard the Saudi woman’s screams and, when he rushed to her flat, he saw one of the defendants punching her on the face.
“I tried to help but they kicked me out and, 10 minutes later, I saw them leaving with two large suitcases,” said the cleaner.
The Austrian women were not present at Dubai Criminal Court to enter a plea. The next hearing will be on April 20.
salamir@thenational.ae