UAE | Crime
Lawyers defend 25 Dubai jail wardens against abuse of authority
Defence lawyers of 25 jail wardens, currently being prosecuted for abusing their authority and beating inmates during a surprise inspection for substances prohibited in the cells, defended them before Dubai Court of First Instance on Sunday.
- By Bassam Za'za', Senior Reporter
- Published: 23:44 June 15, 2008
Dubai: Defence lawyers of 25 jail wardens, currently being prosecuted for abusing their authority and beating inmates during a surprise inspection for substances prohibited in the cells, defended them before Dubai Court of First Instance on Sunday.
Seven lawyers defended that the wardens were searching for banned substances, such as drugs and sharp tools, in the cells and they relied on the surprise factor and scared the prisoners while taking them out of their cells "to prevent them from disposing of any forbidden stuff".
Khalifa Al Salman and Ali Musabbeh of Salem Al Sha'ali and Co Advocates and Legal Consultants called the inmates criminals and said the use of force in prison is regarded differently from its use outside.
Al Salman said: "The suspects didn't abuse their powers or beat the prisoners but they only scared them to prevent them from getting rid of any forbidden substance." A former prison director, three lieutenants and 21 policemen earlier pleaded innocent.
The Public Prosecution has charged the wardens with abusing their authority. They allegedly beat an Armenian inmate, leaving him with a permanent 10 per cent spinal disability, besides injuring others.
Advocate Samir Jaafar, of Jaafar, A'alwan and Al Jaziri Law Firm, said: "A prison is not a tourist place ... scaring the prisoners was part of an organised search."
Nabih Badr said: "All the charges were baseless .... The anti-rioti police squad, which conducted the search, are ... trained."
Kawthar Marwan, Amal Bakri and Dr Abdul Karim Makki pleaded their clients' innocence.
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