UAE | Crime
Ethiopian counts his days at detention centre
Tsegaye Wolde Asfaw did not enter the country illegally, nor did he abscond from his sponsor. Yet, for the past three years, the 32-year-old Ethiopian has been counting his days at the detention centre at Al Sader deportation facility in Abu Dhabi.
- By Bassma Al Jandaly, Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:15 November 19, 2008
- Image Credit: Bassma Al Jandaly/Gulf News
- Tsegaye Wolde Asfaw explains how his life took a drastic turn in 2005 after he suffered an injury while working at a company in Sharjah.
Sharjah: Tsegaye Wolde Asfaw did not enter the country illegally, nor did he abscond from his sponsor.
Yet, for the past three years, the 32-year-old Ethiopian has been counting his days at the detention centre at Al Sader deportation facility in Abu Dhabi.
A diplomat from the Ethiopian consulate in Dubai confirmed that Asfaw was being held at Al Sader deportation centre since 2005 for no crime of his.
"There was no case against Asfaw. He was injured while at work and then quit his job. He filed a complaint against the company with the police and also approached the court and the labour department in Sharjah in order to get his salary dues for six months released," the official said explaining how Asfaw came to be lodged at Al Sader deportation jail after falling foul of the Sharjah Naturalisation and Residency Department (SNRD).
The diplomat said Asfaw used to work for White Sea Shipping and Supply Company at Al Hamriya free zone in Sharjah as an engineer on a monthly salary of Dh 1,500.
"We tried several times to contact SNRD and the company owners in order to sort out Asfaw's problem but they did not respond to us," the official said.
Asfaw told Gulf News that he fell down on a huge fan at the work place in 2005 and lost a finger besides suffering other injuries.
"I was taken to a hospital by the company's public relations officer. They did not report the accident to police," he said.
The hospital medical report stated that Asfaw had incurred a six-per cent permanent disability due to his injuries.
"I reported the issue to the police, to the court and to the labour department stating that I had not been paid my dues and salary for six months. The case was investigated by police," he said.
"The company claimed they had paid my salary and they produced a salary acceptance slip with my signature but police investigations could not authenticate the signature," he said.
In August 27, 2005 the company signed an undertaking with the police that it would take responsibility for Asfaw's medical expenses and hand him a compensation package but did not abide by the commitment.
The compensation case was referred to the Sharjah Sharia Court which ruled in favour of the company.
"I was accused of jumping from the tenth floor of a building at Al Hamriya free zone in Sharjah despite the fact that there was not even one ten-storey building there. I was detained in Sharjah Central Jail though there was no case pending against me. Then I was sent to the SNRD deportation centre and finally landed up here," he said.
An official from the Ministry of Interior said the ministry had been trying for a long time to obtain an out-pass for Asfaw but the Ethiopian consulate had not been very cooperative.
Community Reports
-
Keep recycling bins open
People should be allowed to do their part as the world moves towards a greener future
-
Bridges needed
Al Ittihad Road has no pedestrian facilities as one nears Sharjah
-
Street lights needed
Authorities urged to act with haste before a major accident occurs in Al Nahda, Dubai
-
Motorists ignore stop sign on buses
Overtaking school vehicles can put students' lives at risk
Latest news
- Dubai Police deny reports of Burj Khalifa fire
- New road eases traffic problems in Dubai
- Abu Dhabi hosts strong man contest
- Farmers to be taught techniques to improve yield
- Keep recycling bins open
- UAE's first home-grown unmanned aerial vehicle
- Telling stories with sand
- President of Wollongong varsity about his plans
- Challenging role in Libya
- Parachuting event promises rich fare
- UAE ministry backs efficacy of Tas'heel system
- UAE students on research trip to Antarctica
- Brothers held in Sharjah for possessing heroin
- Fund drive for displaced Syrians launched
- FNC has kept pace with development — Al Murr
