UAE | Crime

Death row convicts in Dubai

As many as 24 death row convicts continue to languish in Dubai's Central Jail with execution yet to be carried out

By Salam Al Amir, Staff Reporter and Sharmila Dhal, Senior Reporter
Published: 00:00 March 11, 2010

Image Credit: AP
According to the director of the Dubai Central Jail, death row convicts are lodged in a separate ward inside the jail but are treated just like other prisoners. Picture for illustrative purpose only.

Image 1 of 2: 1 2

Dubai: Paul George Nadar was heavily drunk when he stumbled towards his house in Frij Al Murar on a humid Thursday evening on October 10, 1985.

But no one - not even his Pakistani neighbours who beat him up when he loitered into their shanty would have thought that the Indian carpenter would soon carry out one of the most grisly crimes on Dubai soil.

Burning with vengeance and still high on liquor, Nadar returned an hour later with a can of paint thinner. He doused the shanty walls with the highly inflammable material and set a match to it.

Status of the death row cases
Chart of pending death row cases

Within seconds, the whole place was up in flames.

When the fire was brought under control the police recovered the charred remains of two women and seven children.

Related Links

Status of the death row cases

The following morning Nadar was arrested. The arson killer, as he came to be known, was charged, and subsequently sentenced to death. Almost two-and-a-half decades later, Nadar, now 64, is still languishing in Dubai's Central Jail, becoming the longest-serving convict on death row in the emirate. Like him, XPRESS can reveal, there are 23 others who remain behind bars with the death sentence awarded to them yet to be carried out.

According to prosecution records, five of these cases, including the recent one of the Emirati child rapist and killer, are still under appeal. However, execution in the remaining 19 cases has been suspended pending the approval of the Ruler, sources said, adding that the last execution in Dubai was that of a Yemeni national in 2002 for killing his uncle. Four others were executed in the late '90s, including three Indians for premeditated murder and an Arab national for raping an eight-year-old girl.

Legal course

Ahmad Saif, Chief Justice of the Dubai Criminal Court of First Instance, told XPRESS that a death ruling issued by the Court of First Instance, if upheld by both the Courts of Appeal and Cassation, is submitted to the Ruler for approval. As per Articles 282-289 under the UAE Criminal Procedure Law, when a convict is sentenced to death and the sentence has been upheld by all the courts, he remains imprisoned until an approval for his execution is granted.

Most death row inmates are convicted of premeditated murder. For instance, Munawar Dost Mohammad, a 40-year-old Pakistani, was put on death row in 1999 after he killed an Omani national with the help of two others and then tried to destroy evidence.

The same year an Indian, Anil Motyati Adho, 38, was sentenced to death for stalking his victim before killing him. As time hangs heavy, the delayed execution has raised hopes of a pardon for some inmates and their families.

"Definitely I regret what happened. My father will be completing 25 years in prison this October and I hope he will be pardoned and released," said Nadar's son Subharajan, an engineer with a private Dubai firm.

Long struggle

In an interview to XPRESS last week, Subharajan recalled he was only three years old, and in India, when his father committed the crime. It was a long struggle, he said, explaining how his mother raised him and his elder sister. "I managed to do my engineering with the help of my father's brother and my sister," said the 28-year-old who got married last September.

He said words failed to describe how he felt when he first met his father in June 2005. And it was not until July last year that he got special permission for a direct interface with him along with his sister and her daughter.

Sources said it is not uncommon for convicts to appeal for a pardon from authorities. They also seek a pardon from the victims' families after paying blood money. Subharajan said Nadar had paid a stipulated sum to the Pakistani victims' families in 1996, following which they had pardoned him. Nadar also reportedly submitted a mercy petition to the government through the Indian Consulate last year (see letter below).

Major Abdul Hakeem Ahmad, Director of Dubai Central Jail, said, "Most of them [convicts] were not born killers and their crimes are the consequence of an evil moment; some of them may be lucky and get a pardon."

Nadar, who said in his petition that "a slip in my presence of mind in a particular moment" resulted in the death of a Pakistani family, hopes he will be one of them.

Mercy petition from Paul George Nadar

To
The Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and
The Ruler of Dubai-U.A.E.

Your Excellency

Sub: Mercy petition

Though I am fully aware that I am not worthy enough to put before you this mercy petition, my 24 years of imprisonment, one of the prisoners who served the longest term in the history of Dubai prison, has opened my eyes to a new world of love and compassion. Thanks to the good Samaritans who visit me at times and console me. Their visits have opened my eyes and filled my heart with the unfailing love of God. Putting my trust in the Lord and the faith and strength I gained through Him enabled me to write these few words to your Excellency.

A slip of my presence of mind in a particular moment resulted [in] the death of a Pakistani family in October 1985. A copy of my case file explaining the whole history is attached herewith for your reference. Though I received the Tanasal (no objection letter) from the deceased family members after paying them the blood money in 1996, my release is still on hold awaiting Your Excellency's orders as well as from the Lord. My 24 years prison record proves that I am still maintaining good record among the prison authorities with no remarks till date.

For a moment my mind drew me back to my past……………,

24 years back where I lived with my wife, who is now 58 years old, my little daughter who is now married and a mother of one child, my little son, who is working as an Asst Electrical Engineer, and my good old days when I enjoyed the warmth of a happy family life. My heart's intense longing for hugging my grandchild and other family members once again which resurfaced in a dream prompted me to write this letter. I will have no regrets even if Your Excellency doesn't consider my request, as I am aware that I don't deserve to be free for such a heinous crime. However, I pray that my Good Lord and Your Excellency will show mercy to me to reunite with my family and see the outside world once again.

I in return have only my whole hearted prayers to the Lord for your Excellency's good health, long life and prosperity.

Yours sincerely

(Paul George Nadar)
Dubai Central Prison

Execution Procedure

Convicts on death row are granted visitation rights until the day of execution. Their families can visit them during their imprisonment and on the day of execution, but not at the execution itself. The victim’s families are allowed to witness the execution
The prosecution is obliged to inform the family of the victim of the execution date 30 days in advance
Representatives from the prosecution, Ministry of Interior, director of the correctional facility and a physician are required to be present during the execution. The defence lawyer is allowed to be present, if he wishes to
The director of the correctional facility or one of his nominees should read the verdict aloud before the execution. Any last words by the convict will be documented by the prosecution representative as will the time of death announced by the physician
Executions are not to be carried out during national holidays or holidays under the convict’s religion
Pregnant convicts will not be executed until they deliver the child and nurse the newborn for two hijri years
Court and jail sources told XPRESS that the preferred method of execution is by firing squad

Comments (15)

Added 19:37 March 13, 2010

The authorities should look into this matter closely and possibly give Paul a second chance at life as he has already spent most of his life in jail.

Syed Abdullah, DUBAI, United Arab Emirates

Added 17:52 March 13, 2010

Capital punishment is the only effective deterrent to serious crimes and helps eradicate the plague from society. Only God has the right to take someone’s life. If a person chooses to take another person’s life, he loses the right to his own life. The authorities must enforce an iron-fist policy when it comes to murderers and rapists

Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 16:18 March 13, 2010

We are all human beings and we commit sins. Mistakes and sins, small or huge, are all the same. I feel sympathy for the Pakistani family as well as for Nadar. He has been behind bars for 24 years and, while reading his letter, I could feel his sincerity in asking for forgiveness and in his longing for his family. God is just and forgives, so who are we not to forgive? My mother was murdered nine years back by three men, and since I do not want to carry burdens and grudges through my life, I have learnt to forgive those who killed her. Each one of us wants to given a second chance...

Anonymous, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Added 16:00 March 13, 2010

Although I can understand the anger of people who want to see justice served, it was not this man who instigated himself. We as humans want to misbehave on the road as we drive with no regard for others, beat up a man because he was drunk, and then expect no action from him. That is strange. Although what he did was beyond reason to us, why was he attacked? We should always remember to be kind to everyone and not act smart, as what the other person is capable of, no one knows. He does not need a flashy and powerful number plate or a certain dress to be powerful. We all have immense kindness and immense anger in us. Please do not wake the devil in people and then ask them to not cross boundaries. The other party asked for trouble, and they got it, although not what they expected. And if this man was to be executed, it should have been done 15 years ago, not after he has been made to spend his life in jail. He has served more time than would have been required to in most countries for a capital crime and should be released.

Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 15:42 March 12, 2010

Execution should not be the only means of delivering justice for people who have fallen on the wrong path. A life sentence is the most humanistic punishment for criminals

Anonymous, stockholm, Sweden

Added 12:46 March 12, 2010

With a heavy heart I am penning down the memory of the ill-fated black day. The Pakistani family, who were my neighbours at that time, never knew that October 10, 1985 would be the last day for the family members -- mostly children and two ladies. One child survived the fire as he had insisted his mom to let him stay with his aunt in Sharjah, and luckily the men of the house were at work. The murderer had locked the doors from outside. When the police and fire brigade came, the smoke had risen up so much that it was little difficult to view. All I could see were children hugging their mothers to escape the fire and one child hiding under a mattress -- but all were burnt to death. Tears roll down my eyes as I write this letter. It’s been 24 years but reading the mercy petition of the murderer has brought back memories of that horrific day. Today, the murderer is asking for mercy, but is he eligible for it? No. He has killed nine innocent people. The killer’s son said he was only three years old when his father committed the crime and they [he and his sister and mother] had to struggle in their life. He is at least alive to see his father, who is behind the bars and longing to hug his daughter and grandchild. Just think for a second about the child who lost his mother and siblings at a very young age. Who will he hug? The arson killer in his petition wrote: “A slip in my presence of mind in a particular moment” resulted in the death of the Pakistani family. This was not a slip of mind, but an act of revenge. What mercy is he asking for? He should not be pardoned.

Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 13:01 March 11, 2010

The crime he has committed is a very serious one. So he must be given capital punishment. Despite his letter for mercy or his family status, he should be punished as he killed nine human beings. There should not be an iota of mercy towards him. He drank on that day and committed such a heinous crime, how dare he expect mercy!

Usman, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 12:01 March 11, 2010

I think it is not appropriate to kill a person when there is a transformation in him. It’s like killing a renewed spirit, and killing him at this point is merciless and unforgiving. It would have been better if he was executed at the time of conviction but not at this age when he needs his family or someone to take care of him. It’s as good as killing a dead person, especially when the family of the victim has given a Tanasal [no objection letter]. When the family of the deceased does not have anything against this person, why should he be executed?

Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 12:00 March 11, 2010

I believe His Highness Shaikh Mohammad [Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai] will consider Nadar’s application and release him as he has a big heart and is merciful. Nadar has got his punishment and 24 years of imprisonment has taught him a good lesson.

Irfan Shah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Added 10:40 March 11, 2010

I support death sentence because I believe it will help reduce the rising number of crimes around the globe but waiting for 24 years in a cell away from everything that is alive, to be executed is, is death. This man deserves to be set free; he won’t live longer than he spent in jail. Let him at least see what his children have become, and I am sure he has thought of those who died and imagined what they could have become hadn’t he killed them.

Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates