Qatari men were detained in UAE
Two young Qatari men who have been detained by the UAE for a few days now were taken into custody at the Al Guwaifat border post, it has been learnt.
They have been since held in a Abu Dhabi prison and, according to unconfirmed reports, tortured by their captors.
Local Arabic daily Al Sharq yesterday said the two men had left Qatar for the UAE in separate cars on the first night of Ramadan (June 29). “They are from the al-Malla and al-Hamadi families. They were captured in Al Guwaifat police station, which is governed by the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.”
According to sources, one of the men was allowed to cross the border and enter the UAE but he returned to the post on being informed by his friend that he had been detained by the border guards. On arriving at the post, he was also taken into custody, the report said.
The daily said Qatari authorities have been in touch with UAE officials since they came to know about the arrest. However, the UAE authorities have not given any specific reason for the detention of the Qataris. They have also been denied family visits.
Al Sharq said Qatari authorities have been exerting efforts and making contacts with the UAE authorities to secure the release of the two men. The UAE authorities had previously detained Qatari doctor Mahmoud al-Jaidah while he was transiting Dubai airport about a year ago. He was later sentenced to seven years in prison for “supporting a banned outfit”.
Al Sharq also said some Qatari citizens were recently exposed to “teasing” and protracted procedures at the UAE airports.
Meanwhile, without giving any clear hints about the reported detention of locals in the neighbouring UAE, Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the country never abandoned its citizens.
Reports of the arrest were first published by local Arabic daily Al Arab, which claimed on Sunday that three Qataris had been detained and tortured in the UAE.
Al Arab said the men were travelling to the UAE for tourism and to visit their relatives.
