Man in UAE on Trial for Kissing Lady’s Hand

A young man is on trial after he kissed the hand of a 60-year-old woman in a hotel lobby. The man, who is Arab and in his 20s, says he made the gesture out of respect for the woman because she is a mother figure.

However, the woman said she felt insulted by the kiss and the matter was reported to the authorities. The man is now on trial at Ras Al Khaimah Misdemeanour court, accused of outraging the woman’s modesty and molestation, which he denies.
Prosecutors told the court that he kissed the woman on the hand as she walked through the lobby.

The expat woman, whose nationality was not stated, told officers she was shocked when the stranger took her hand and kissed it. She said the incident was an insult to her and her husband. Prosecutors said the woman was furious so her husband filed a complaint.

At court, the Arab man admitted kissing the old woman on the hand but added: “I kissed her hand spontaneously as I considered her in the same position as my mother”.

“I did it in front of people in the hotel including her husband. I didn’t mean to insult her”. His lawyer asked court to acquit his client as the act of kissing the woman’s hand does not equate to the charges against him.
The trial has been adjourned.
7days.ae