July 16, 2013
UAE official arrested for attack on driver over road accident
Video shows Emirati government employee beating expat using his igal following collision
An Emirati senior official has been arrested for attacking an Indian driver over a minor road accident, according to a senior police official.
Majer General Khamis Mattar Al Mazeina, Acting Chief of Dubai Police, said a government official was arrested on Monday and his case has been transferred to the public prosecutor over beating up an Indian man in the middle of the road in clear view of other road users.
Major General Al Mazeina said the incident happened on Saturday.
“What had happened is an inappropriate and unacceptable way of behaving and it is not our tradition or morals,” said Major General Al Mazeina.
“Emiratis are forgiving and kind-hearted and will not behave in this way,” Al Mazeina said.
The case was transferred to the public prosecution on Tuesday, he said.
The official, a director at a governmental department in Dubai, was arrested after the video, taken by a passerby, was posted on YouTube on Monday.
In the video, the driver, who works for private company in Dubai, hits the car of the official before ignoring the accident and continuing to drive. The official follows him, stops him to shout at him and then begins to beat him using his igal, a traditional Emirati head ornament. The Indian man does not defend himself. A passerby then intervenes to plead with the official to leave the man alone.
Dubai Police said no one was above the law and such behaviour is unacceptable.
Social media users urged police to arrest both the attacker and the person who posted the video on YouTube. Others said that the Indian driver should have reported the incident immediately to police.
The original video has since been taken down from YouTube. Taking such videos in the street without the acknowledgment of people involved is illegal and constitutes defamation, according to Dubai Police.
UAE official arrested for attack on driver over road accident | GulfNews.com
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July 16, 2013
UAE official faces trial for alleged attack on Indian driver
Police act swiftly in public interest after video showing alleged assault goes viral on internet
The Dubai Police on Tuesday transferred the case of a senior government official to the Public Prosecution for allegedly assaulting a van driver following a minor traffic accident.
A YouTube video that showed the alleged assault went viral on social media on Monday night, but the clip was later removed.
Major General Khamis Mattar Al Mazeina, Acting Chief of Dubai Police, told Gulf News: “Dubai Police apprehended the government official and called the van driver after taking cognisance of the case. Though the van driver did not file a complaint against the official immediately after the incident on Saturday, police acted swiftly in public interest.”
Police said the Indian van driver clipped the Emirati official’s four-wheel drive in the Muraqqabat area and drove away without bothering to stop — which is against the law. Motorists involved in minor accidents must stop and both parties need to report the matter to police.
The official then chased down the driver, stopped him and allegedly assaulted him. The YouTube video posted by a passer-by shows the assault happening in clear view of other road users. Another passer-by is shown intervening to stop the assault.
Maj Gen Al Mazeina said the official has been detained and the case has been transferred to the Public Prosecution. “The suspect told police during investigations that the van driver verbally abused him after the accident,” he said.
“Even if it is true that the van driver verbally abused the official, no one has the right to take the law into their own hands,” Maj Gen Al Mazeina said. “The police and other authorities are responsible for dealing with such incidents. We will not allow anyone else by any means to act on behalf of law enforcement authorities.”
Maj Gen Al Mazeina also said that the incident “is inappropriate and unacceptable behaviour”.
“This kind of behaviour is not a part of our tradition or morals. Emiratis treat their guests well and respect all nationalities and cultures. They are forgiving and kind-hearted and will not behave in this way,” he said. “Even if they are involved in major accidents, no Emirati behaves in this way.”
The family of the official has filed a case against the person who filmed the video and posted it on YouTube, since it violates the UAE Cybercrime Law, which prohibits anyone from taking videos or pictures in public areas without the acknowledgment of people involved. Such an act is illegal and constitutes defamation, according to Dubai Police.
Maj Gen Al Mazeina said police will investigate the complaint since any person with such a video must share it only with police and relevant authorities and not post it in the public domain.
Commenting on the video on social media, a user who identified himself as Saeed Al Adawi wrote: “The country has laws and taking matters in your own hands does not work. You tarnished the image of the UAE, Arabs and Islam with your behaviour.”
Another YouTube user identified as Yasmin Al Ahmad commented: “You can’t do that [beat someone] and get away with it in Dubai”.
Another user, Sascha Winter, said there was no need for such action because there are laws. “There are many legal actions that can be undertaken by law enforcement. Times when an eye was for an eye are thankfully gone.”
UAE official faces trial for alleged attack on Indian driver | GulfNews.com
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July 16, 2013
YouTube video of UAE official beating Indian driver causes public outcry
Legal expert says prosecutors could pursue case against the official even if parties reconcile
A video of a government official beating a van driver was posted on YouTube has generated a public outcry and urged police to take legal action, said a legal expert.
“Initially it was an ordinary assault case, yet as soon as it was posted on YouTube, it went viral on social media channels. Since then, the case became of public concern and incited public opinion — that was when Dubai Police intervened. They took the required legal action against the involved persons,” advocate Mohammad Abdullah Al Redha told Gulf News on Tuesday.
Sources from Dubai Public Prosecution confirmed to Gulf News that investigations started in the afternoon as soon as they received the case.
Al Redha said: “It became a case of disdain and disparagement and particularly that it’s Ramadan, the month of mercy and forgiveness. When such incidents develop into a matter of public opinion and concern, police have the right to refer the case to prosecutors. According to the Criminal Procedures Law’s article 10, the Public Prosecution [in its capacity as the legal representative of the public right] can order the police to open an official complaint against the government official even if the van driver doesn’t do so.”
Prosecutors can still take legal action against the government official and forward him to court even if the litigating parties reconcile and the van driver grants him a waiver.
In case prosecutors charge the government official with beating the driver and refer him to court, Al Redha explained: “The Emirati would be referred to the Dubai Misdemeanor Court. The Penal Code’s article 339 stipulates that a suspect faces up to a year in jail and a maximum fine Dh10,000 if he/she beats a victim without causing injuries that prevent him/her from carrying out his duties up to 20 days.”
YouTube video of UAE official beating Indian driver causes public outcry | GulfNews.com
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July 17, 2013
UAE official in detention after driver attack
Emirati who beat Indian driver following minor accident held pending investigations
An Emirati man, who beat an Indian driver following a minor accident in Al Muraqqabat, has been placed under provisional detention pending further investigations.
“The defendant, who was exposed on YouTube assaulting the victim, has been detained. He has been confronted by the video footage that went viral on social media networks. The investigating prosecutor has summoned the Indian victim to hear his statement,” said Acting-Attorney General Yousuf Hassan Al Mutawa on Wednesday.
The Deira Prosecution, which has jurisdiction over the area where the incident happened, is currently handling the interrogation and is set to hear more prosecution witnesses.
“Everybody, Emiratis and expatriates, who live in this country, are treated equally and their rights preserved as per the UAE Constitution. There is no discrimination against anybody whatsoever,” stressed Al Mutawa.
When asked about the alleged defamation and breach of privacy case lodged by the Emirati’s family against the person who uploaded the video on YouTube, a senior prosecutor told Gulf News: “We have not received anything in that regard. The family could have lodged the case in a different jurisdiction. The assault case was the only case file that Dubai Police have referred to us so far.”
“Initially it was an ordinary assault case, yet as soon as it was posted on YouTube, it went viral on social media channels. Since then, the case became of public concern and incited public opinion. It became a case of disdain and disparagement and particularly as it’s Ramadan, the month of mercy and forgiveness. When such incidents develop into a matter of public opinion and concern, police have the right to refer the case to prosecutors,” advocate Mohammad Abdullah Al Redha told Gulf News.
The Emirati, if charged, is expected to be prosecuted before the Dubai Misdemeanor Court.
The Penal Code’s article 339 stipulates that a suspect faces up to a year in jail and a maximum fine of Dh10,000 if he/she beats a victim without causing injuries that prevent him/her from carrying out his duties for up to 20 days.
Meanwhile, the man who posted a video of the assault has been arrested, according to Major General Khamis Mattar Al Mazeina, acting chief of Dubai Police. The man admitted taking the video and distributing it to his friends.
“This case will be transferred to the public prosecution for more investigation,” said Major General Al Mazeina.
UAE official in detention after driver attack | GulfNews.com
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July 17, 2013
A strong message from Dubai Police on driver assault case
If this assault case goes to court, the prosecution’s case will hinge on a crucial piece of evidence — a video shot illegally by a passerby
The Dubai Police this week sent out a strong, unequivocal message that no one is above the law when they arrested an Emirati for assaulting an Indian driver in full public view.
The suspect, believed to be a high-ranking government officer, may face trial in the misdemeanour court if the prosecution decides to press charges under Article 339 of the Penal Code.
All this happened after the police took cognizance of a minute-and-a-half video depicting the assault. The video went viral on social network sites on Monday, triggering outrage among Emiratis and expatriates alike. Dubai Police’s Twitter account was inundated with messages, catching the attention of Foreign Minister Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and other prominent Emiratis.
The video, first posted on YouTube on Monday evening, showed the suspect repeatedly beating the van driver of a stationery company with his agal, a black cord worn by Arabs. The Emirati also punched him and disregarded intervention by a passerby who apparently asked him to stop, the video showed. At one point the suspect dropped his agal and the Indian man picked it up from the ground and gave it back to the suspect, who resumed the beatings and punches.
The next day, Major General Khamis Mattar Al Mazeina, Deputy Chief of Dubai Police, announced the Emirati government officer’s arrest. Stating that “no one is above the law”, while condemning the assault as “inappropriate”, Al Mazeina said the case would be handed over to the public prosecution.
The video went viral on YouTube, WhatsApp and Live Leak and was shared by both Indian expatriates and Emiratis, dominating discussions in offices and homes throughout Tuesday. Some Emiratis quoted in media reports strongly condemned the assault and said the suspect brought disrepute to the community during the holy month of Ramadan.
There has been little public reaction from the Indian expatriate community, but those who saw the video privately expressed outrage. Many are giving a racist slant to the incident: a powerful kandoura-wearing Emirati assaulting a poor Indian expatriate. They point out that the Emirati was driving an expensive SUV with a three-digit registration number-plate. But several others stress that this is a simple case of road rage -– one driver assaulting another over a minor traffic dispute.
It was indeed an incident of road rage and those who brand it as the case of a citizen of a host nation assaulting a poor migrant worker would be stretching it too far. The Indian van driver was running away after clipping the Emirati’s car. The suspect then chased him and stopped his van before assaulting him. Both broke the law: the Indian who did not stop after the minor accident (it is illegal in the UAE to run away after an accident) and the Emirati who took the law into his own hands.
The prosecution will investigate the incident and decide if the case merits a court trial. The Indian driver has apparently declined to lodge a complaint, but the prosecution can take cognizance of the evidence and proceed with a trial. However, the evidence itself may come under legal scrutiny. The video was discreetly taken by a passerby who posted it on social networking websites. Under UAE cyber laws, it is illegal to take videos of people and posting them on websites. The Emirati’s family has lodged a police complaint against the person who took the video. The original video was taken down on Tuesday afternoon, but it re-emerged on several websites.
It is a unique case where the suspect, the victim and the eyewitness all broke the law. Should this assault case go to court, the prosecution’s case will hinge on a crucial piece of evidence — a video that was shot illegally.
A strong message from Dubai Police on driver assault case | GulfNews.com
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July 18, 2013
Dubai Police may accept videos from public as evidence of violations, wrongdoings
Man arrested on Tuesday for posting video of beating to YouTube
People may be allowed to film or to take photos for traffic accidents, traffic violations or any wrongdoing that may affect public safety and to send it to police, said senior police official.
Major General Khamis Mattar Al Mazeina, Acting Chief of Dubai Police said on Thursday that Dubai Police is studying a suggestion which will allow people to send in photos and video clips of those who breaking traffic rules or committing any wrongdoing on main roads that may affect public safety. However, they are not allowed to put the videos on the web to defame others.
“We are working on implementing this suggestions as per the directions of Lieutenant General Dahi Khalfan Tamim, Commender-in-Chief of Dubai Police,” said Major General Al Mazeina.
He said this step is in line with Dubai Police’s keenness to cooperate and communicate with the public on all levels.
Major General Al Mazeina said authorised expatriate and Emiratis will be allowed to take such videos and send them to the Dubai Police operation room.
“People will not be allowed to publish such kind of videos or pictures in any means of media other than sending them to the police operation room, which will allow police to take the required action against the offenders,” he said.
The announcement came after a man was arrested for posting to YouTube a video clip of an Emirati UAE government official apparently assaulting an Indian driver after a traffic incident in Dubai.
According to police, the Indian man who posted the video is in police custody since Tuesday night.
Police said that the man who took the video and then posted it on his own account on youtube is a 22-year-old business management graduate.
The suspect, identified as S.R.A., is in police custody at Al Qusais police station following his arrest on Tuesday night. The Criminal and Investigation Department of Dubai police (CID) called his father on Tuesday morning ordering him to bring his son to them after Iftar because of the video.
Police said S.R.A., who was born and brought up in Dubai, left the country recently and came back on a visit visa to search for a job.
Police said S.R.A., is staying with his parents in Al Qusais area while his elder brother lives and work in Dubai.
YouTube management emailed S.R.A., who posted the video using his own name, on Tuesday morning asking him to remove that specific video immediately. S.R.A. removed it some 12 hours after he posted it.
S.R.A., told police that he never expected that the video would have such impact and that he never meant to create any trouble to anyone. He admitted it was foolish behaviour on his part.
Public prosecution refused to grant him bail.
The son of the Emirati official seen in the video lodged a complaint against S.R.A. with Dubai Police, accusing him of defaming his father.
Dubai Police may accept videos from public as evidence of violations, wrongdoings | GulfNews.com
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July 18, 2013
YouTube assault video uploader questioned by police
Assaulter’s family claim they’ve been defamed as thousands of people watched and shared the video
Prosecutors have started questioning an Indian man who used his mobile phone to secretly film an Emirati official beating a driver, then uploaded the video on YouTube.
The Indian suspect, identified by records as S.R.A., will sit down for interrogation before Deira Prosecution on Sunday, a senior source told Gulf News on Thursday.
“The Emirati official’s family lodged a complaint at Al Qusais Police Station reportedly accusing S.R.A. of breaching their privacy and libelling them by uploading the assault video on the social media network, and it went viral. In their complaint the family is alleging that they have been defamed as thousands have seen the video, reposted and/or recirculated it since S.R.A. uploaded it on YouTube on Saturday,” said the chief prosecutor, who added that S.R.A. faces primary charges of breaching privacy of the Emirati man, identified as M.S.S., and libelling him and his family
An investigation hearing at the prosecution was held on Thursday and it continues on Sunday as the investigating prosecutor is scheduled to hear more witnesses.
“We cannot reveal further details neither now nor later as the investigations are confidential and haven’t concluded. A media statement might be issued, and if needed, by the Public Prosecution,” added the chief prosecutor.
Under article 372 of the UAE’s Penal Code, a suspect who libels someone publicly and subjects the victim to disdain or punishment could face up to two years in jail or a maximum fine of Dh20,000.
The same article stipulates that a suspect who libels a public official while carrying out his/her duty or defames the official’s family could face up to three years in jail and/or a fine.
If the libel happened through publishing defamatory material in a newspaper or any publication, then that is considered an aggravating factor under the same law.
Acting Attorney General Yousuf Hassan Al Mutawa ordered that M.S.S. be provisionally detained pending further investigations into the beating of the Indian driver following a minor accident in Al Muraqqabat.
“The defendant, who was exposed on YouTube assaulting the victim, has been confronted by the video footage that went viral on social media networks,” said Al Mutawa.
YouTube assault video uploader questioned by police | GulfNews.com
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After reading this post
completely, I hope it will be clear why the person who made the video got arrested and what is happening with the Emirati who was beating the Indian.