Source: The National 18 December '09
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An Australian private security consultant has been fined AED2,000 ($545) for swearing at a police officer, according to a report on Friday.
The man was on his way from Afghanistan and was arrested at Dubai International Airport on October 11 while en route to London, The National daily reported.
Dubai Court of Misdemeanours ordered the consultant to pay the fine after he denied charges filed against him on December 9. The man had faced a possible six-month jail term and a AED5,000 fine, The National added.
“[He] was in transit on his way to London when he tried to use an ATM machine at the airport,” his lawyer told the court. “He was irate and tired and when the officer came to him he had no intent to offend him or insult him.”
The accused allegedly used foul language when the officer grabbed him from behind. “We explained to the court that the words used were not to offend anyone.
The plaintiff just understood the words out of context and thought it was a direct insult to him,” the lawyer said.
The Australian testified that when he arrived from Afghanistan at about 8pm he headed to the ATM. He said that a man in a blue uniform, who did not identify himself as a police officer, blocked his way and told him he could not use the machines, according to the Abu Dhabi-based daily.
However, the officer, contradicted the Australian’s statement before prosecutors and said that the accused was trying to go into the arrivals hall without giving a reason. Later the Australian asked to speak to the officer’s supervisor and then swore in public. The police official said he was cursed at and was insulted.
The lawyer of the accused clarified that his client had no criminal intent, adding that the Australian consulate in Dubai issued a letter of apology to Dubai Police.
The National added that the consulate expressed its respect and appreciation to Dubai Police and its staff.
Saturday, 19 December 2009
Wednesday, 16 December 2009
"Sheikh Issa was drugged" claims lawyer
Source: The National
================================
A member of the Abu Dhabi ruling family who is accused of torturing an Afghan man was drugged against his will when the incident took place and cannot be held responsible, a government-owned newspaper on Tuesday quoted his lawyer as saying at his trial.
"My client does not remember what happened that night. He did not have the mental capacity. Because he was drugged against his will, he cannot be held responsible," The National quoted Habib al-Mulla, lawyer for Sheikh Issa bin Zayed, as saying.
Allegations against the sheikh, who is the brother of UAE president and Abu Dhabi emir Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahayan, emerged after US network ABC aired a video in April that appears to show him beating a man with whips, electric cattle prods and a wooden plank with protruding nails.
Assisted by police, Sheikh Issa is seen to pour salt in the man's wounds and run over him with a sports utility vehicle.
The victim needed months of hospital care following the incident. He was reportedly an Afghan trader who lost a load of grain worth 5,000 dollars.
In a rare trial of a high-ranking member of the ruling family, Sheikh Issa stands accused of endangering a life, causing bodily harm, and rape for the incident which allegedly took place in 2004, The National said.
Sheikh Issa's lawyer said that one of the sheikh's seven co-defendants was responsible for Sheikh Issa's medications and drugged him, then videotaped the incident and tried to blackmail him, The National reported.
The paper said that Mulla presented a letter that was allegedly from the lawyer of the co-defendant and his brother demanding 68 million dollars for the tape to be destroyed.
Mulla also argued for the charges to be dismissed on the grounds that the UAE's Federal Supreme Court had previously ruled that video evidence of a crime scene was inadmissible, the newspaper reported.
The trial was adjourned until later this month, when a forensic expert is to testify on the potential effects of the drugs Sheikh Issa is said to have been given, The National said.
================================
A member of the Abu Dhabi ruling family who is accused of torturing an Afghan man was drugged against his will when the incident took place and cannot be held responsible, a government-owned newspaper on Tuesday quoted his lawyer as saying at his trial.
"My client does not remember what happened that night. He did not have the mental capacity. Because he was drugged against his will, he cannot be held responsible," The National quoted Habib al-Mulla, lawyer for Sheikh Issa bin Zayed, as saying.
Allegations against the sheikh, who is the brother of UAE president and Abu Dhabi emir Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahayan, emerged after US network ABC aired a video in April that appears to show him beating a man with whips, electric cattle prods and a wooden plank with protruding nails.
Assisted by police, Sheikh Issa is seen to pour salt in the man's wounds and run over him with a sports utility vehicle.
The victim needed months of hospital care following the incident. He was reportedly an Afghan trader who lost a load of grain worth 5,000 dollars.
In a rare trial of a high-ranking member of the ruling family, Sheikh Issa stands accused of endangering a life, causing bodily harm, and rape for the incident which allegedly took place in 2004, The National said.
Sheikh Issa's lawyer said that one of the sheikh's seven co-defendants was responsible for Sheikh Issa's medications and drugged him, then videotaped the incident and tried to blackmail him, The National reported.
The paper said that Mulla presented a letter that was allegedly from the lawyer of the co-defendant and his brother demanding 68 million dollars for the tape to be destroyed.
Mulla also argued for the charges to be dismissed on the grounds that the UAE's Federal Supreme Court had previously ruled that video evidence of a crime scene was inadmissible, the newspaper reported.
The trial was adjourned until later this month, when a forensic expert is to testify on the potential effects of the drugs Sheikh Issa is said to have been given, The National said.
Tuesday, 15 December 2009
Monday, 14 December 2009
Iran: Photos of Abyaneh
Abu Dhabi bails out Dubai
Source: Sydney Morning Herald
====================================
Abu Dhabi has stepped in to help fellow United Arab Emirates member Dubai with a $US10 billion ($10.9 billion) injection, of which $US4.1 billion was allocated to troubled state-owned conglomerate Dubai World to pay immediate obligations.
The move was the least expected of all options Dubai had on the table after requesting a standstill on $US26 billion in Dubai World debt on November 25, alarming markets and shaking the image of the emirate as a regional business hub.
"The government of Abu Dhabi has agreed to fund $10 billion to the Dubai Financial Support Fund that will be used to satisfy a series of upcoming obligations on Dubai World," the chairman od the Dubai Supreme Fiscal Committee said this afternoon in a statement.
"As a first action for the new fund, the government of Dubai has authorised $US4.1 billion to be used to pay the sukuk obligations that are due today."
The local sharemarket jumped on the news, with the benchmark S&P/ASX200 adding 0.4 per cent to close at 4654, after only minutes earlier having hit the day’s low of 4608 points.
S&P futures jumped to be up 0.7 per cent, reversing early losses and pushing Treasury futures to session lows. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index shot up 300 points in the last minutes of morning trade to finish in positive territory, while other markets across Asia also pushed higher.
Abu Dhabi is the largest member of the United Arab Emirates federation and a big oil exporter.
"We are here today to reassure investors, financial and trade creditors, employees, and our citizens that our government will act at all times in accordance with market principles and internationally accepted business practices," Sheikh Ahmed bin Saaed al-Maktoum said in the statement.
"Dubai is, and will continue to be, a strong and vibrant global financial center. Our best days are yet to come."
Excess funds would be used to cater to Dubai World's needs up until the end of April 2010, the statement said.
Dubai has announced a bankruptcy law that it said could be used in case Dubai World and creditors failed to reach an agreement on debt maturing in the future.
"Dubai will announce a comprehensive reorganisation law, a framework that is based upon internationally accepted standards for transparency and creditor protection," Sheikh Ahmed said.
"This law will be available should Dubai World and its subsidiaries be unable to achieve an acceptable restructuring of its remaining obligations."
====================================
Abu Dhabi has stepped in to help fellow United Arab Emirates member Dubai with a $US10 billion ($10.9 billion) injection, of which $US4.1 billion was allocated to troubled state-owned conglomerate Dubai World to pay immediate obligations.
The move was the least expected of all options Dubai had on the table after requesting a standstill on $US26 billion in Dubai World debt on November 25, alarming markets and shaking the image of the emirate as a regional business hub.
"The government of Abu Dhabi has agreed to fund $10 billion to the Dubai Financial Support Fund that will be used to satisfy a series of upcoming obligations on Dubai World," the chairman od the Dubai Supreme Fiscal Committee said this afternoon in a statement.
"As a first action for the new fund, the government of Dubai has authorised $US4.1 billion to be used to pay the sukuk obligations that are due today."
The local sharemarket jumped on the news, with the benchmark S&P/ASX200 adding 0.4 per cent to close at 4654, after only minutes earlier having hit the day’s low of 4608 points.
S&P futures jumped to be up 0.7 per cent, reversing early losses and pushing Treasury futures to session lows. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index shot up 300 points in the last minutes of morning trade to finish in positive territory, while other markets across Asia also pushed higher.
Abu Dhabi is the largest member of the United Arab Emirates federation and a big oil exporter.
"We are here today to reassure investors, financial and trade creditors, employees, and our citizens that our government will act at all times in accordance with market principles and internationally accepted business practices," Sheikh Ahmed bin Saaed al-Maktoum said in the statement.
"Dubai is, and will continue to be, a strong and vibrant global financial center. Our best days are yet to come."
Excess funds would be used to cater to Dubai World's needs up until the end of April 2010, the statement said.
Dubai has announced a bankruptcy law that it said could be used in case Dubai World and creditors failed to reach an agreement on debt maturing in the future.
"Dubai will announce a comprehensive reorganisation law, a framework that is based upon internationally accepted standards for transparency and creditor protection," Sheikh Ahmed said.
"This law will be available should Dubai World and its subsidiaries be unable to achieve an acceptable restructuring of its remaining obligations."
Sunday, 13 December 2009
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