Dubai expat disfigured, blinded in acid attack

A Kenyan woman has been accused of throwing acid on her compatriot, leaving her blind and disfigured, the Dubai Court of First Instance heard on Sunday.
The 30-year-old sales executive allegedly attacked the 48-year-old woman, who was visiting her friend's place in Al Satwa in March to get back a pair of shoes she had forgotten.
Sitting beside her 36-year-old Kenyan male friend in the apartment, the victim was surprised when the accused stormed into the room with a bottle of acid.
According to court records, the man testified to prosecutors that the defendant poured a two-litre acid bottle on the victim, covering her from head to toe.
"White smoke came out of her hair and the acid splashed on me," said the man.
The victim lost her sight and sustained major injuries that disfigured her face and left her with restricted neck and shoulder movement.
The man said both of them rushed to the toilet after the attack to try to get the victim under the water before they took a taxi to the Rashid Hospital.
While the man was treated on the spot, the victim had to stay at the hospital.
Police officers asked the man to report the defendant next time he spots her.
The suspect was arrested in the evening of the same day.
Court records did not disclose the reason behind the attack. The defendant is also accused of causing injuries to the man. She admitted to prosecutors that she attacked the victim. However, she denied the charges when she stood before the Dubai Court of First Instance.
A verdict will be heard on January 22.
sherouk@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai

Sherouk Zakaria

sherouk@khaleejtimes.com