DUBAI JAILERS JAILED FOR BEATINGS

BBC NEWS
iddle_east/7481975.stm
2008/06/30 15:37:58 GMT

A court in the UAE has given jail terms to a former prison director
and members of staff after convicting them of involvement in beating
prisoners.

Seven of the officers – including the former director – were jailed
for six months and another 18 for three months.

The incident happened in 2007 in Dubai, when a number of inmates were
assaulted during a search for drugs. One man is said to have suffered
spinal damage.

Such trials and the attendant publicity are extremely rare in the UAE.

Press reports said the defendants were all accused of "abuse of power
and ill-treatment of detainees under their guard".

According to statements from the attacked prisoners, warders and
riot police formed two rows outside cell doors and ordered the men
to come out.

As they moved between the two lines, the staff kicked and beat the
prisoners.

The judge said of the man with spinal injuries, who is Armenian,
"it was clear that detainees have been beaten".