Women’s rapist seeks acquittal

An Arab man arrested in Abu Dhabi after raping many women, mostly Indians, demanded acquittal during the first trial at a criminal court, claiming he is mentally ill.

His lawyer told court on Sunday that the defendant is innocent on the grounds his main victim did not see his face as it was dark when he raped her. The lawyer also cited a medical report saying a rape was not confirmed while the defendant asked the judge to subject him to a medical panel for psychological examination.

Replying to a question by the judge about the presence of the defendant’s semen on the victim’s dress, the lawyer said there could be a mistake in the tests on the grounds they were conducted a long time after the alleged rape.

“The lawyer asked the judge to acquit his client and to modify the charges from rape to having sex with the consent of both,” Emirat Alyoum daily said, adding that hearings were adjourned for April 22 to hear more witnesses.

Abu Dhabi police arrested the unnamed man two months ago on charges of stalking women and sexually assaulting them inside elevators late night.

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