Dubai: An Afghan merchant, who is shown in a video footage being allegedly beaten by Shaikh Eisa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is suing the ruling family member's former business partner for defamation, Gulf News learnt on Saturday.
Shaikh Eisa has pleaded not guilty to the charges of assault and endangering the life of the Afghan, who concurrently lodged a criminal and civil case against Shaikh Eisa's former partner accusing him of defamation by airing the video on the internet without his approval, said the shaikh's lawyer Dr Habib Al Mulla.
The lawsuits are being heard before the Al Ain Criminal Court of First Instance, which will hear Dr Al Mulla's defence in the shaikh's criminal case on Monday.
The Al Ain Court is also looking into the Afghan's criminal lawsuit accusing the former business partner B.N., an American, of defamation.
Mind-affecting drugs
Dr Al Mulla revealed that the Afghan is suing B.N. and his brother, G.N., for Dh100,000 in temporary compensation for emotional and moral damages he claims to have suffered after the video's broadcast on television.
"I am not guilty," said Shaikh Eisa when he defended himself in court.
Dr Al Mulla told Gulf News on Saturday: "We have pleaded not guilty since the litigation started. B.N. and G.N. allegedly plotted the whole incident.
Losing control
"They gave my client nearly 66 medicines, some of which contained drugs and mind-affecting substances, over a long period.
"We also have American-processed medical reports confirming that the medicines [allegedly given to the shaikh by B.N. and G.N.] caused him to lose free will.
"The reports also confirm that the chemical interaction of the medicine caused my client to lose control over himself and his memory as well."
Moreover, Dr Al Mulla said they have what he described as "strong evidence" that B.N. requested Shaikh Eisa to pay him millions of dollars to destroy the video before broadcasting the footage.
The video footage was aired on American television and www.youtube.com.
It showed Shaikh Eisa allegedly participating in what was believed was assaulting and endangering the life of the Afghan, M.S.P. The latter was accused of defrauding the shaikh.
Shaikh Eisa denied liability on his side and claimed lack of free will caused to him by the medication, said his advocate.
Media reports said B.N. leaked the video to an American television network earlier this year.
Plotted
Dr Al Mulla contested during the trial that the American brothers plotted the incident to drug the shaikh and cause him to commit the alleged beating and video tape it for blackmailing purposes.
