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[washingtonpost]

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/05/09/uae.torture/index.html

[washingtonpost]

They are doing the right thing! Everyone should be held accountable for crimes they commit.


Son of late Abu Dhabi ruler put on


Friday, Dec 11, 2009

Abu Dhabi authorities have put on trial Sheikh Issa bin Zayed al-Nahyan, a member of the ruling family caught on tape apparently torturing an Afghan business associate, the Financial Times can reveal.

Sheikh Issa, one of 19 sons of Sheikh Zayed, the founding father of the United Arab Emirates and Abu Dhabi's late ruler, is charged with causing harm and endangering life.

This unprecedented trial, held away from the public eye, will be seen as a barometer for the rule of law in Abu Dhabi, where the lines between the government and ruling families are blurred.

A former aide, Bassam Nabulsi, leaked a video this year that appeared to show Sheikh Issa brutally torturing an Afghan commodities trader, Mohammed Shah Poor, in 2004.

Mr Nabulsi, a US citizen, is suing for damages in a separate case in Texas, claiming Sheikh Issa had him tortured and imprisoned after he threatened to reveal the tapes' existence.

The graphic scenes - censored in the UAE - appear to show Sheikh Issa beating Mr Poor with nails, suffocating him by shoving sand in his mouth and driving a 4x4 vehicle over his body, helped by security guards.

In April the video was broadcast on US television, prompting politicians to question a nuclear cooperation agreement with the UAE .

In May, Abu Dhabi authorities detained Sheikh Issa , who does not hold a government position, and began a criminal investigation, saying "all persons are equal before the law". Despite concern about airing the ruling family's dirty linen, the government has pressed on with the trial.

A spokesman said it would be inappropriate to comment while proceedings are in progress.

The trial of Sheikh Issa and the security guards began two months ago. It has been held discreetly at courts in Abu Dhabi's second city, al-Ain. Sheikh Issa is being detained, according to his lawyer, but his whereabouts are unknown.

Habib al-Mulla, Sheikh Issa's lawyer, says his client does not remember anything about the events captured on video, arguing diminished responsibility.

Mr Mulla claims Mr Nabulsi and his brother manipulated events and used the videos to blackmail the sheikh. "He was drugged with prescriptions provided by the Nabulsis," Mr Mulla said.

Tony Buzbee, Mr Nabul-si's lawyer, rejected those claims as "ridiculous".

By Simeon Kerr in Dubai

� Copyright The Financial Times Ltd 2009. Privacy policy.

http://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidFTNEWSPLUS_CB20091211_100/Son%20Of%20Late%20Abu%20Dhabi%20Ruler%20Put%20On%20Trial

[PC Parrot]

I'm sure on his own, away from his friends, he's a lovely boy.

[veiledsentiments]

Ah... the "I don't remember" defense...

VS

[celticbutterfly]

http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091215/NATIONAL/712149816

And I thought OJ's trial was a farce... Unbelievable, and you just KNOW this guy is going to get off.

[washingtonpost]

UAE ruling family member denies torture charge

Reuters/Al Ain, United Arab Emirates

A member of Abu Dhabi�s ruling family took the stand in court yesterday over a video that appears to show him torturing an Afghan man, pleading not guilty to rape and inflicting bodily harm.
The trial, the first of a member of the ruling family of Abu Dhabi, follows US network ABC�s airing in May of footage that seemed to show Sheikh Issa bin Zayed al-Nahyan abusing Mohamed Shahpoor, an Afghan grain merchant.
The man is struck with an electric cattle prod, beaten with whips and a plank of wood with a nail in it and driven over by a car at a desert location near the oasis of Al Ain in 2004.
Abu Dhabi prosecutors subsequently detained Sheikh Issa, a son of the late UAE founder Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan, but news only emerged last week that a trial had begun two months ago.
Yesterday was Sheikh Issa�s first day in court as the defence began its case.
Dressed in a traditional white dishdasha, a smiling Sheikh Issa appeared for the two-hour session in Al Ain with a language teacher and a group of bodyguards. Asked how he pleaded, he answered �innocent�, the only time he addressed the court.
Shahpoor, who ABC said was involved in a financial dispute with Sheikh Issa, sat in silence throughout the hearing.
Six others are accused along with Sheikh Issa, including former business associate Bassam Nabulsi, who made the video available to ABC, and his brother Ghassan. Only two of the other accused were in court. They also pleaded not guilty.

Sheikh Issa�s lawyer, Habib al-Mulla, told Reuters that Shahpoor had dropped legal action in 2004.

�A settlement was made with the victim in 2004. He was compensated and dropped charges against Sheikh Issa. The only reason we are here today is because of the tape,� he said.
He told the court the tape had been doctored and was not admissible as evidence. He said Sheikh Issa had been drugged before the tape was filmed by Ghassan Nabulsi for purposes of extortion. He also said there was no evidence of rape.

The judge adjourned the trial to later this month for doctors to examine medical evidence.
___________________________________________________

The film footage is self evident! Poor old Sh. Zayed, would turn over in his grave to know that one of his sons has turned out to be so bad!!

[trapezius]

So I wonder what kind of drugs turn one into a sadistic homicidal maniac

[washingtonpost]

Mother attacks daughter's 'rapist'
She stabbed the worker several times in revenge for the alleged attack.

Gulf News
January 5, 2010

Ras Al Khaimah: A woman attacked a maintenance worker after he allegedly raped her five-year-old daughter.

She stabbed the worker several times in revenge for the alleged attack.

Lieutenant Colonel Aref Al Kazz, who heads the Criminal Investigation Unit at Al Madinah Police Station, said the worker allegedly committed the crime after the women assigned him and another colleague to carry out some maintenance work on her house.

Lt Col Al Kazz said the woman left the worker with her daughter at home and went with his colleague to procure appliances for the work on the house.

When the worker � in his mid-20s, was alone in the house with the child, he allegedly attacked and brutally raped her.

Kitchen knife

When the woman returned home the worker confessed to the crime.

The woman grabbed a kitchen knife and stabbed the worker several times, said Lt Col Al Kazz.

The crime was reported and several police vehicles and ambulances arrived at the scene.

The worker was taken to Saqr Hospital for treatment and the victim was also taken to hospital where the rape case was proved and the rapist charged.

Lt Col Al Kazz said the case was investigated by RAK Police and will later be referred to the Public Prosecution for further investigation. The worker will be referred to the Criminal Court.

[trapezius]

Too bad he survived. But maybe that's better, but only if he is executed. Child rapists should be tortured to death, if you ask me.

[scrog_420]

Are you sure it was torture and not "enhanced interrogation"? As we all know in the USA, that's entirely legal and proper. Our former president, Darth Cheney, said so.

[wannago]

[Gerund]

[helenl]

Apparently Sheikh Issa has been found not guilty. I don't agree but then I didn't agree with the OJ murder trial verdict either.

I just hope he's getting help (or is being forcibly confined) because of his "medication issues" before he kills someone.

Was the policeman in the video charged as an accomplice? No one/source has stated HE was under the influence of narcotics. Nor apparently did he do anything to stop the attack or call for help.

[PC Parrot]

Well that should keep Gerund happy.

Let's hope they catch those dastardly creeps that did all the drugging.

I've a funny feeling that they've been drugging half the drivers in town too. CIA operatives no doubt.

God damn the US of A.

[veiledsentiments]

Did anyone really think he would be sent to jail? Hopefully the family will 'handle' the problem.

VS