‘Leaving in 2 days back home’ to Dubai

MIAMI – The Arab-speaking tourist who said he was from Dubai appeared before Miami-Dade County Circuit Judge Christine Bandín on Saturday accused of domestic violence.

Bandín referred to him as a “Sultan” and said he was facing a battery charge. With the help of an Arab-English court interpreter, he said he and the victim were tourists who planned to return to Dubai.

“We are coming as tourists we are leaving in two days back home,” the suspect told the judge in court. Later, he added, “I think what happened was a misinterpretation. It was not physical; it was just an argument.”

Bandín said the arrest affidavit claimed otherwise and she set his bond at $1,000.

The defendant said, “If I pay the bond, then after I pay the bond, I can travel back home?”

Bandín said he could but he and the victim could not travel together.

“You cannot contact her for any reason whatsoever, including anything related to your child,” Bandín said. “Do you understand me?”

The man responded in the affirmative.

This is a developing story.