Police deny hunger strike in jail

Dubai: Police denied that a group of prisoners at Dubai Central Jail went on a hunger strike for 14 days.

The inmates involved in bounced cheque cases had their issue reviewed by Dubai Public Prosecution on Thursday, a senior official from Dubai Police told Gulf News yesterday.

Lieutenant Colonel Abdul Hakeem Al Munser, Director of Dubai Jail for men at the Department of Punitive and Reformative Establishments, said 13 prisoners of various nationalities went on hunger strike for a few days because they had served their terms and were being held to pay their financial obligations, which they said they could not do.

Denying what was published in the media about a 14-day hunger strike, Lt Col Al Munser said no one could survive 14 days without food and water.

"That is an old issue which took place over two weeks ago, and all the inmates' documents have been referred to the public prosecution, which is in charge of reviewing them."

On Thursday, the prisoners met Khalifa Rashid Bin Deemas, Attorney-General, who is reviewing their cases.

"Their cases were seen before the Court of First Instance and the Court of Appeal, and have now been referred to the Court of Cassation, which accepted their cases and will look into them," Lt Col Al Munser said.

"Here at the Department of Punitive and Reformative Establishments we implement the sentences issued by courts, but we have nothing to do with the technicalities of court procedures or legal issues," he said.