Man sets Dubai gym on fire after he was denied visa

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 Man sets Dubai gym on fire after he was denied visa

Dubai - He was infuriated as his boss allegedly would not issue him an employment visa to avoid paying the cumulative fines.

By Marie Nammour

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Published: Mon 25 Apr 2016, 3:36 PM

A man, who allegedly started a fire in a bowling centre's gym where he allegedly worked after the manager refused to legalise his status, faced an arson charge in the Court of First Instance.
The 27-year-old Egyptian man, M.A., is accused of deliberately setting chairs, clothes and wood in the gym in Al Quoz on fire on February 2. Court documents show that M.A. was infuriated as his boss allegedly would not issue him an employment visa to avoid paying the cumulative fines.
M.A. is also accused of intentionally causing material damage after he allegedly smashed the glass, walls, windows, doors and sinks inside the washroom. The damage, that was also done to TV sets and laptops and a printer and other property, was estimated at more than Dh156,000.
An Indian security guard said that he saw M.A. smashing the glass, TV sets and chairs in the centre's gym. "He then poured a flammable liquid on the chairs and ignited it with a lighter. I could not stop him and I called the police".
A police corporal said that they put the fire out at the time when M.A. was still smashing the chairs in the gym with metallic handles. "He told us that he came on a visit visa and worked for the manager for some time. But the latter would not adjust his status and pay the fines".
The officer quoted M.A. as admitting to have smashed the glass and started the fire with a lighter.
The forensics report showed that the fire started at four different and separate spots which suggested it did not extend but was a deliberate act.
The court is expected to give a verdict on May 24.
mary@khaleejtimes.com 


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