Sheikh Issa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan of Abu Dhabi was cleared of all charges in a torture trial on Sunday. He was acquitted of causing bodily harm, rape and other forms of torture to an Afghan man in 2004. The incident was caught on videotape.
AFP/FILE
Upon hearing the acquittal, the Sheikh hugged his defense lawyer and walked out of the courtroom without speaking to reporters. It was the first time a member of the UAE’s ruling family was put on trial. Usually, any issues are dealt with secretly and according to tribal customs.
Judge Mubarak al-Awad said Issa was innocent of torture due to being in a “diminished liability” state of mind. Issa’s lawyer, Habib al-Mullah, claimed his client was on a series of medications which influenced his mentality at the time of the torture. While the exact list of medication the Sheikh was on was never made public, a forensic expert testified that such a mix could cause “anger, suicidal tendencies, depression, aggression and loss of memory.”
Habib al-Mulla told reporters following the acquittal, “the fact that this trial is taking place is a sign that the UAE is showing that everyone in this country can be put in front of law and judged.”
The videotape of the beating of Afghan grainer, Mohammed Shapoor, was made in 2004, but made its way to the Internet and the U.S.’s ABC television station last year. On the tape, a man identified as Sheikh Issa is beating Shapoor ruthlessly. He was run over by an SUV, had sand poured down his throat and was beaten with a wooden plank.
Shapoor was at Sunday’s court session, and did not speak to any reporters upon hearing the acquittal.
One reason why the tape surfaced in 2009 may have had something to do with a lawsuit by Bassam Nabulsi, an American businessman. He tried to sue Issa in the United States for millions of dollars for business deals he claimed the Sheikh owed him.
The defense said Nabulsi issued the videotape of the torture to blackmail his former associate. They also said his brother, Ghassan, filmed the video.
Judge al-Awad sentenced Bassam and Ghassan to five years behind bars for overseeing the Sheikh’s medication, putting Shapoor’s life on the line, and filming him without permission.
The ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, inaugurated the world’s tallest structure in the heart of the emirate today. The skyscraper, named Burj Khalifa (Khalifa Tower), stands at over 800 meters, or half a mile high.
REUTERS/Matthias Seifert
The Sheikh gave a short speech before officially opening the 200-story tower. In it, he changed the name of the building from Burj Dubai to Burj Khalifa, after the ruler of neighboring emirate, Abu Dhabi, and President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan.
It is possible the structure’s name was changed to thank Al-Nahyan for bailing Dubai out of an $80 billion debt crisis late last year.
Burj Khalifa opened with fireworks fired from the building itself, as well as a lighting show. At the same time, the waters of Dubai Fountain, the world’s largest, danced to traditional Arabic music.
The tower will be mostly residential, with about 37 floors for offices.
2009 saw a lot in the world of royalty. From wedding announcements and divorces, royal scandals and royal births, legal issues and attacks, this year certainly kept royals all over the world in the news.
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Sheikh Issa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan took the stand at an Al-Ain court Monday, and pleaded not guilty to torturing an Afghan grain merchant.
FILE
The first member of the Abu Dhabi sheikhdom’s ruling family to be trialed, Issa was smiling during the two hour appearance. The man he is accused of torturing, Mohammed Shahpoor, sat in the same courtroom, saying nothing.
This trial has been going on for about two months and only now are reports emerging. The case likely would never have happened, if the U.S. station, ABC, did not air a videotape allegedly showing the Sheikh assaulting Shahpoor. On the video, Shahpoor has sand poured down his mouth, is run over by an SUV, beaten with whips and a wooden board with a nail on it, plus has his genitals lit on fire.
ABC News claims Shahpoor was in a financial dispute with Sheikh Issa.
The Sheikh’s lawyer, Habib al-Mulla, told Reuters that Shahpoor had dropped the charges back 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,” al-Mulla said.
Six others are accused of torturing Shahpoor, but only two arrived in court today. They also pleaded not guilty.
As of Monday, the court was hearing closing arguments, but it adjourned to allow a forensic expert’s testimony.
As Dubai’s debt worsens, its ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum may have to turn to its oil-rich fellow emirate, Abu Dhabi for help.
MARWAN NAAMANI/AFP/Getty Images/FILE
But will that emirate assist Dubai again? Abu Dhabi already helped Dubai earlier this year with a $10 billion bailout when the global recession first hit. Sheikh Mohammed has always said the two emirates have tight bonds, but how the two will ride out this financial crisis will determine that.
“Differences between the two city-states remain on how to approach the economy and the financial crisis,” said Hani Sabra of Eurasia Group, a U.S.-based research firm. “But now Abu Dhabi is obviously the more dominant emirate.”
When Dubai announced its debt payment was being put on hold, two Abu-Dhabi banks bought $5 billion Dubai bonds, but nothing more.
“I guess Abu Dhabi is saying there will be no blank check for Dubai,” said Jane Kinninmont, a London-based specialist on Gulf economies at the Economist Intelligence Unit.
Just this month, Sheikh Mohammed insisted that all was well with Dubai’s finances and told media critics to “shut up.” Most of the plans he had for Dubai’s development – such as real-estate on the artificial island Palm Jumeirah, and other major property plans – have been put on hold. As a result, Dubai has become the biggest symbol of the global property bubble bursting. Its financial woes have some wondering if another crisis is on the way.
Next week may display that. The global stock markets reopen on Monday, following the shockwaves Dubai caused on Friday. Wednesdaay is the UAE’s national day. Whether Abu Dhabi is willing to help its neighbor remains to be seen.
“There is no point throwing good money into Dubai‘s black holes,” said Christopher Davidson, an expert in Emirate affairs at Britain’s Durham University. “These are mistakes of Sheikh Mohammed and he needs to deal with them.”
On Tuesday, the Supreme Federal Council of the United Arab Emirates re-elected Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan as President. The 61 year-old Sheikh is also the ruler of Abu Dhabi. He will serve another five year presidential term.
AFP/WAM/FILE
Sheikh Khalifa’s heir, Crown Prince Mohammed of Abu Dhabi, lauded the results. “The UAE is making rapid, staggering and tangible progress under the stewardship of Sheikh Khalifa,” he said.
“The holistic development going on in all emirates simultaneously underlines Sheikh Khalifa’s sincere determination to secure a decent life to both UAE people and expatriate residents.”
The Sheikh has been involved in the UAE’s politics since his father, Sheikh Zayed, founded the oil-rich country in 1971. During his time as Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, he served as its prime minister, as well as defense and finance minister of the emirate. He became ruler when his father died in 2004.
One of Sheikh Khalifa’s most noted actions as President was allowing the UAE’s first elections in 2006. However, only half of the Federal National Council were selected by UAE citizens.
Royalty mingled with sports fans for the final race of the Formula 1 Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. Royals from Europe and the Middle East were there to not only cheer on the drivers, but to congratulate the United Arab Emirates for the Circuit, which has been described as a source of pride for the UAE.
King Abdullah II of Jordan, King Hamad of Bahrain, Spanish King Juan Carlos and Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf were at the race. The Bahraini King was given a tour of Yas Marina, and expressed hope that it would boost sports in the Mideast.
“This adds to the many achievements of the prosperous era of UAE President Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and rulers of all emirates,”he said.
King Juan Carlos of Spain was seen chatting with the race car drivers, including Spanish drivers Fernando Alonso and Jaime Alguersuari.
There were also women at this event. One of them was Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairperson of UAE General Women’s Union and Supreme Chairperson of the Family Development Foundation. She watched the closing ceremony of the Formula 1 and had this to say about the race:
“The event’s marvellous success, which has been witnessed by everyone, is a source of pride for all citizens of the UAE and the excellent technical and organisational standards and facilities at the site proves the ability of UAE and its capital Abu Dhabi to host the world’s major sporting events. With this wonderful circuit and the unique organization of the event, Abu Dhabi has won a shining place on the world map in front of hundreds of millions of viewers from around the world.”
The winner of this race was Sebastian Vettel of Germany.
Belgian Crown Prince Philippe and Crown Princess Mathilde are currently in the United Arab Emirates. They arrived separately yesterday, with Philippe coming from Saudi Arabia and Mathilde arriving from Belgium. Both have different agendas in the UAE, but the main purpose of their trip is to strengthen ties between their country and this Gulf nation.
WAM.ae
First stop was Abu Dhabi, where Mathilde met with the Chairperson of the Family Development Foundation and Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak at her palace. The two discussed women’s issues and how women in the UAE are working on the development of their country. Mathilde praised the Sheikha for her works.
Afterward, the Crown Princess stopped by Abu Dhabi Women’s College, where she met with students and educators. Mathilde lauded the college for its high standards and the students’ love of learning.
While that was happening, Crown Prince Philippe was meeting with Health Minister Dr. Hanif Hassan. With him was a Belgian delegation made up of representatives of the investment, trade, public services, business and media sectors, who were there to get an idea of how the UAE is developing its health sectors.
WAM.ae
Philippe also met with Foreign Trade Minister Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, with whom he further discussed Belgian investment with the UAE. Sheikha Lubna encouraged the Belgian delegation to work with her country.
Next, the Crown Princely couple reunited and met with the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan. Crown Prince Philippe and the Sheikh talked about tightening bilateral ties.
Thursday, the couple moved on to Dubai, where Philippe was welcomed by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is both ruler of Dubai and the Vice President of the UAE. During their meeting, the Crown Prince and the Sheikh discussed economic ties between Belgium and the UAE.
The Abu Dhabi royal allegedly involved in a torture scandal has been put under house arrest, according to CNN and ABC News.
AFP
Sheikh Issa bin Zayed al-Nahayan has been linked to a case where an Afghan man was tortured, and the whole incident was caught on tape.
The case sparked international outrage, and human rights groups demanded the United Arab Emirates to do something.
The New York based group, Human Rights Watch, says word of Sheikh Issa being detained is “reassuring” and a “significant development.” However, HRW wants the UAE to do more.
“The (UAE) government needs to make the details public,” its Middle East director Sarah Leah Whitson said.
“Secretive prosecutions will not deter further abuses.”
According to CNN, the torture case is upholding a nuclear deal between the United States and the UAE.
Sheikh Issa has no governmental position, but is is the half-brother of the UAE’s ruler, President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
In the video, the Sheikh allegedly poured sand into an Afghan grain dealer’s mouth, beat him with a nail-protruding board, burned his genitals and ran him over with a car. Salt was also poured onto the man’s wounds.
The abuse took place back in 2004, and it is unknown of the whereabouts of the man, but he spent months in the hospital.
As videotape of the torture went around the world, other allegations of abuse connected to Sheikh Issa came out.
A U.S. lawyer named Anthony Buzbee says he has a client who was tortured by Issa, and that he has “more than two hours of video footage showing Sheikh Issa’s involvement in the torture of more than 25 people.”
Coverage of this case has been limited in the UAE, and Human Rights Watch is urging the country to allow its local media cover it.
Abu Dhabi condemned Thursday acts of torture after a widely circulated video of a supposed member of its ruling family committing such acts made rounds in recent weeks.
The Emirate vowed to probe into the incident.
“The government of Abu Dhabi unequivocally condemns the actions depicted in the video,” said a statement carried by the official news agency WAM, two days after Human Rights Watch called on the United Arab Emirates to renounce the use of torture.
Video allegedly of Sheikh Issa bin Zayed al-Nahayan, a brother of the UAE president and Abu Dhabi ruler, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahayan, mercilessly beating a man.
The man was a an Afghan trader who reportedly lost a load of grain worth $5,000.
According to Amnesty International, Sheikh Issa beat the man using a board with nails on it, set light to his pubic hair, choked him with sand and drove a motor vehicle over him apparently breaking his limbs.
The victim reportedly needed months of treatment following the abuse.
Human Rights Watch called the beating “an appalling miscarriage of justice.”
“What’s even more shocking is the government’s insistence that it investigated and found no violation of UAE laws,” said the New York-based rights watchdog.
HRW also is urging the UAE to reform its media laws to allow the local press to cover the case, something that is not happening since criticism of the ruling family is forbidden.
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