UAE court clears Indian blacksmith accused of groping Pinay

A United Arab Emirates court has cleared an Indian blacksmith of charges he groped a Filipina who was shopping in a market in August 2013.

The Dubai Appeal Court upheld the acquittal of the Indian, 26, who insisted he did not touch the Filipina, UAE news site Gulf News reported Thursday night.

It cited the lack of sufficient evidence in finding the defendant not guilty of the charges.

“I did not touch her at all. Her accusations were unfounded and she lied,” the Indian had said when he defended himself before the Appeal Court.

However, the appellate ruling is subject to appeal before the Cassation Court within 30 days.

Earlier, the Filipina, 34, claimed she was standing near the fruits and vegetables shelves at the market when she felt someone grope her back.

She said that when she turned around, she saw the blacksmith behind her. She said she then shouted at him and accused him of molesting her, then hurled a carrot at him.

On the other hand, the Gulf News report cited court records showing snapshots from the surveillance cameras at the supermarket did not clearly show the Indian touching the Filipina. — RSJ, GMA News