UAE | Crime
Ex-inmate argues with Dubai judge in warden case
The judge warned the 28-year-old Egyptian that his imprisonment would be extended if he refused to testify before the Dubai Court of First Instance's bench of three judges.
- By Bassam Za'za', Senior Reporter
- Published: 00:27 May 5, 2008
Dubai: A frightened former inmate from Egypt and a judge had an argument in court on Sunday because the former inmate was afraid he would not be sent back to Egypt if he had to testify now.
The Egyptian completed his sentence last week and will be deported.
The judge warned the 28-year-old Egyptian that his imprisonment would be extended if he refused to testify before the Dubai Court of First Instance's bench of three judges.
The argument between the frightened inmate, S.J., and Presiding Judge Fahmi Mounir lasted about five minutes.
S.J., who is an essential prosecution witness in the case of 25 prison wardens being tried for abusing their authority and beating inmates, persistently told Presiding Judge Mounir: "I repeat the statement I made before the Public Prosecution. I don't want to testify because I just completed my punishment and I want to get deported. I am afraid if I testify I won't get deported."
"You have to testify. The court and the Public Prosecution are different things. I will extend your detention if you keep on refusing," warned the judge.
Eventually S.J. agreed, and testified: "I was hit by three suspects. I was forced to lie on my stomach while they beat me."
When asked by the judge to identify who beat him from among the 25 wardens who were present at courtroom four, he pointed at two of the defendants.
Defence lawyers, including Khalifa Al Salman, Ali Mosabah, Amal Bakri, Kawthar Marwan, Samir Jaafar and Nabih Badr, also questioned S.J. during the 9am hearing.
The Public Prosecution charged some of the accused with abusing their power and beating 41-year-old Armenian inmate, S.K., who was later deported. He sustained a ten per cent permanent disability to his spinal cord.
Other building
"I didn't see anyone beat S.K. because he was detained in another building. Some inmates alleged that S.K. was beaten, while others claimed he fell down the stairs," said the Egyptian witness.
The accused, excluding the former director of the prison, were all charged with injuring inmates by using excessive force against them. The former director and one of the lieutenants were charged with inciting the others to commit violent and abusive acts.
Community Reports
-
Mirror, mirror show me the way
Driver on Salam Street had so many boxes and fruits piled into car, he would not be able to view rear or right side mirrors
-
Parents should be more vigilant
Reader's picture highlights risk of negligence by caretakers
-
Warming up to ‘Mobilise the Earth' theme
Dubai school dedicates a whole week to celebrating Earth Day with can-collection drives, sapling plantation and painting competition among others
-
Drivers using mobiles put others' lives at risk
Speeding is dangerous for the driver and other motorists
Latest news
- Youngsters dance and raise cash for charity
- Dubai departments upgrade services
- Get yourself a free test for diabetes
- Ensuring a safety net for intellectual property
- Reader's issue addressed
- 5,552 illegals held in Dubai this year
- Man cleared because he took drugs in France
- Man charged with trafficking women
- Auditors to probe Mizin graft case
- Transfusion centre launches new toll free number
- Mirror, mirror show me the way
- Last minute ID rush is on
- Breaking down cultural barriers with photographs
- Car seats for children: Unsafe at any speed
- Abu Dhabi Crown Prince visits Islamic centre
