In one of the more peculiar crime cases in Qatar, a Moroccan man is facing murder charges following the stabbing death of another expat by sword.

During the latest hearing in his case, witness testimony about the crime was given in a lower Doha criminal court yesterday.

The defendant stands accused of killing an Egyptian man in October 2013, after learning the victim was in a romantic relationship with his wife.

At Wednesday’s session, an imam testified as to what he observed took place on the day of the murder.

He told the court that he was in the car with his daughter when he saw the victim with his legs outstretched sitting on the ground and leaning against a vehicle.

He also saw the defendant holding a sword by one hand and a woman by the other, adding that the woman, who was crying and screaming, eventually tossed the bloodied weapon into a courtyard of a nearby home.

According to the imam, the defendant told the woman to sit in the car that the victim was leaning against, threatening to kill her next if she didn’t listen.

When the imam asked the defendant what happened, the man said “I am protecting my honor,” and explained that the victim had been committing adultery with his wife.

Publication ban request denied

The imam called the police and later gave his statement to the prosecutor’s office.

According to a forensic doctor who also testified yesterday, the victim was pronounced dead at the scene by ambulance personnel.

After performing an autopsy two days after the murder, the doctor concluded that the victim had been standing when he was attacked, and collapsed to the ground after being stabbed with force. The cause of death was bleeding from a punctured lung.

The judge presiding over the case denied a request from the defense attorney to institute a publishing ban on the crime.

The hearing was adjourned to May 11, when the defense is expected to call more witnesses.

Thoughts?