UAE Court Fines Couple for Mutual Assault; Suspends Penalty to Save Marriage

UAE court has convicted a husband and wife of mutual assault after concluding that both had physically harmed each other during a domestic dispute, imposing a fine of Dh3,000 on each while suspending the sentence for three years in a move aimed at preserving their marriage.

According to court records, the case began when the husband filed a complaint through a smart application alleging that his wife had assaulted him. Authorities referred him to hospital for a medical examination. Shortly afterwards, hospital staff filed a separate report after the wife arrived claiming she too had been assaulted, with her injuries documented through an official assessment.

In statements to police, the husband said the incident occurred at his father’s home and initially indicated he did not wish to pursue legal action. He later changed his stance at the hospital, alleging that his wife had left the house with her brother without his consent, prompting him to proceed with the complaint. He also referred to ongoing disputes between them and claimed he had previously been assaulted by his wife, while denying attacking her and pointing to medical reports confirming his injuries.

The wife disputed his version of events, stating that the argument arose during a discussion about their ongoing issues and escalated when she mentioned seeking help from her brother. She alleged that her husband then assaulted her and used abusive language. She said his sisters intervened to stop the altercation before leaving, after which his father forced her out of the house, leading her to call her brother. She later contacted her husband again, who agreed to take her to hospital for examination.

Medical reports submitted to the court showed the husband suffered pain in his left knee along with superficial scratches, while the wife reported pain in her neck and both hands, as well as redness in one hand. The injuries were classified as minor, with a recovery period of less than 20 days.

During the proceedings, both parties denied the charges. The wife maintained she acted in self-defence, alleging that her husband had choked her and pinned her down, and that she scratched his leg while attempting to push him away. Both sides presented written defence arguments, while the prosecution pursued the case.

In its judgment, the court held that the charge of mutual assault was established, citing the parties’ conflicting accounts, medical findings and supporting circumstantial evidence. It noted that evaluating the credibility of evidence falls within its discretion.

The court fined both individuals Dh3,000 each and ordered them to pay court fees. However, it suspended the sentence for three years from the date the ruling becomes final, taking into account the circumstances and extending leniency with the aim of preserving the marital relationship.

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