UAE Sheikh found not guilty of torture

ummjake
By ummjake

I shouldn't be surprised but this...but amazingly I am.
Did they even LOOK at the videotape?
I guess they only saw Sheikh Issa's last name...

AL AIN, United Arab Emirates – A member of the United Arab Emirates ruling family being tried in connection with the videotaped beating of an Afghan man was cleared of all charges Sunday.
Presiding judge Sheik Mubarak al-Awad pronounced Sheik Issa bin Zayed Al Nahyan "innocent" of all charges in a UAE criminal court in the oasis city of Al Ain.
The case has drawn intense scrutiny not only because Sheik Issa is half brother of the Emirati president, but also because the graphic beating was videotaped.
The tape surfaced last year in a U.S. lawsuit by Issa's former business associate, Texas businessman Bassam Nabulsi. He is suing Issa for millions of dollars he claimed he was owed for various business deals.
The tape shows a suspect, identified as Issa, viciously beating a man said to be the Afghan worker in an empty stretch of the desert. The defense alleged Nabulsi had the torture filmed in order to blackmail Issa. The victim, identified as Afghani grain dealer Mohammed Shapoor, survived the beatings.
The defense argued that Sheik Issa was left disoriented and impaired by a combination of dozens of drugs, including medicine for heart and back conditions. The list of drugs was submitted to the court, but not made public.
Last month, a forensics expert put on the stand by the defense testified that the mixture of drugs could cause "anger, suicidal tendencies, depression, aggression and loss of memory."
Had he been found guilty on all charges, Issa faced a maximum of three years in prison.
Al-Awad, the presiding judge on a three-judge panel, gave no explanation for the ruling, other than a reference to "diminished liability" on Sheik Issa's part, apparently a reference to his impaired state.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100110/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_emirates_torture_tape

By Hu Wan• 16 Jan 2010 08:36
Hu Wan

get off the hook anywhere in cultures in the west or east?

Bernard Madoff certainly had these but he didn't get off the hook. He got a trial, convicted, and sent to prison. That's fair justice for you. Does this kind of justice even have a semblance in the east?

By Nic• 14 Jan 2010 07:26
Nic

BusinessMan2020,

you said it all with a few words!

By BusinessMan2020• 13 Jan 2010 21:16
BusinessMan2020

This is the justice in arab world :D,,

By Oryx• 13 Jan 2010 13:32
Oryx

1. Olive is right: they sort out their stuff here...he has brought shame and disgrace - in due course the matter will be addressed

2. Also as Olive states these type of miscarriages of justice happen in all societies - just the happen in different guises

What's worse one mad crazy Sheikh or a load of Blackwater staff on a carte blanche mandate...

I actually have more faith in the long term - that the former will receive some from of retribution.

And yes I was totally disgusted with this.

By Winn• 13 Jan 2010 13:01
Rating: 4/5
Winn

Sheikh Issa acquittal: Government ‘does not interfere’ in court matters

Marten Youssef, Courts and Justice Reporter

Last Updated: January 12. 2010 11:35PM UAE / January 12. 2010 7:35PM GMT The Government will not interfere in any court ruling, the Foreign Minister, Sheikh Abudullah bin Zayed, said yesterday, two days after a court in Al Ain acquitted Sheikh Issa bin Zayed on charges of abusing an Afghan grain merchant because of “diminished liability”.

“The Government does not interfere in the affairs of the judiciary in general. Doing so defeats the purpose of having an independent judiciary,” Sheikh Abudullah said, stressing that he was not commenting on any specific case.

The case of Sheikh Issa has attracted international attention, with the US State Department on Monday calling for a review of the verdict. “We would welcome a careful review of the judge’s decision and an assessment of all available legal options to ensure that the demands of justice are fully met in this case, and we will continue to closely monitor it,” the State Department spokesman, P J Crowley, said on Monday.

Mr Crowley added: “I think ultimately this has to be something that is resolved inside of the United Arab Emirates for the benefit of all Emirati citizens. I think that there are still questions that have been raised by this case. I think it’s important those questions be resolved not so much to satisfy the United States, as to satisfy the citizens of the United Arab Emirates.”

Sheikh Issa was acquitted of three charges on Sunday after the court found that he had been drugged and therefore could not be held responsible for abusing the merchant. The incident, which occurred in Al Ain, was filmed and kept by the brothers Ghassan and Bassam Nabulsi, former business associates of the sheikh.

The Nabulsis were found guilty of drugging Sheikh Issa, filming a crime scene and blackmailing him with the tape. They were sentenced in absentia to five years in prison each. An international arrest warrant is expected to be issued for the Nabulsis. As of yesterday evening, Bassam and Ghassan Nabulsi were not placed on Interpol’s list of wanted fugitives.

By Olive• 13 Jan 2010 12:49
Olive

From what I can see Nic, people are speaking out against this. HERE on QL for one, and in the Arabic media. I don't think anyone thinks this was a good verdict.

"We submit to the majority because we have to. But we are not compelled to call our attitude of subjection a posture of respect." Ambrose Bierce

By s_isale• 13 Jan 2010 12:49
s_isale

all this freedom is hogwash

By Nic• 13 Jan 2010 12:46
Nic

Olive,

I grew up in the same west as you did, where media and people are free to speak out without fearing they will offend the powerful evil cheaters.

To conclude, Olive, I hope you understood that I never said in the West we are perfect. All I am trying to say is in the West we have Freedom of Press, People’s Freedom of Expression and OK Judicial Systems (in the UAE, judges are foreigners whose jobs depend on how they please or not their employer – the state) and these are not yet reality in the Gulf region.

By alanode• 13 Jan 2010 12:44
alanode

he should be hang down in public,to be lesson to any one try to use his family as an exit,,,

By verisimilitude• 13 Jan 2010 12:40
verisimilitude

you're problem is with people who make dollars that come from petroleum... hmmmm...

As if there isn't easy money to be made anywhere else in the world...

The number of Sri Lankan maids in the Gulf is probably in the hundred thousands... of course there are going to be deaths

I am not saying that its NOT a problem, maid abuse is a definite problem

But there are similar crimes in other parts of the world as well, and if anything, such murders are probably higher in other parts of the world than it is here... so no one is any better than the other... save the 'savage' tag...

By Nic• 13 Jan 2010 12:33
Nic

Versi,

Its not about arab societies, its more Petro Dollar societies.

Our daily lives in the Gulf are surrounded by human abuses. Check this article:

http://www.arabianbusiness.com/578280-330-sri-lankan-maids-died-in-mideast-in-2009

By Olive• 13 Jan 2010 12:31
Olive

I'm really not sure what "West" you grew up in, but the one I grew up in wouldn't have reacted any differently. Rodney King caused riots because it became the straw the broke the camels back between blacks & whites. However most people laughed off OJ.

"We submit to the majority because we have to. But we are not compelled to call our attitude of subjection a posture of respect." Ambrose Bierce

By Nic• 13 Jan 2010 12:28
Nic

Olive,

I agree with you, its the extent they had the guts to go, trying to fool the whole world and the people’s and media’s passivity, silence and endorsement that makes the whole think different from the western similiar evils!

By verisimilitude• 13 Jan 2010 12:17
verisimilitude

people with power, money and celebrity get off the hook day in day out in all cultures... West and East...

but if you want to shove it down our throats that Arabs are savages... then people may seem 'slow' and 'slow in understanding' cos not everyone may share your agenda...

Like Olive here, although you have spared her the same bitterness that you directed towards me...

Here's a little something else that happens in this land of savages...

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/06/world/middleeast/06iraq.html

By Olive• 13 Jan 2010 12:13
Olive

Sorry Nic, but I don't believe the rich and the powerful are treated the same as the poor and the weak in ANY country in the world. I wouldn't be surprised to see something like this come out of a Western country to.

"We submit to the majority because we have to. But we are not compelled to call our attitude of subjection a posture of respect." Ambrose Bierce

By Nic• 13 Jan 2010 12:09
Nic

Olive,

the whole environment is not the same ;)

By Olive• 13 Jan 2010 12:06
Olive

Obviously her connections and lawyer weren't as good.

"We submit to the majority because we have to. But we are not compelled to call our attitude of subjection a posture of respect." Ambrose Bierce

By Nic• 13 Jan 2010 12:04
Nic

Olive,

15 years is at least something, but declaring the aggressor a victim, its way too obvious and even insulting to any intelligent being!

By Nic• 13 Jan 2010 12:02
Nic

Versimiltitude,

You are either slow in understanding or most probably, on denial.

Read again what was written above.

It’s not only the act; it’s the verdict and the media and people's lack of reaction... as if it’s a mere routine trial!

End of my contribution to this hopeless, sad and offensive to Human Civilization case!

By Olive• 13 Jan 2010 12:00
Olive

I don't doubt anything were wealth and power are concerned Nic. The niece of the British Minister of Defence was arrested for murder, soliciting prostitution and possession of illegal narcotics and she got off with 15 years. Frankly I think that's pretty disgusting and she's not even that powerful.

"We submit to the majority because we have to. But we are not compelled to call our attitude of subjection a posture of respect." Ambrose Bierce

By verisimilitude• 13 Jan 2010 11:55
verisimilitude

O.J. Simpson?

Rodney King?

Mike Tyson?

William Kennedy?

and you can find similar cases in other cultures and parts of the world...

By Nic• 13 Jan 2010 11:31
Nic

Olive,

Honestly, do you think this verdict and article would be possible in the West or in most of the world besides this region?

By Winn• 13 Jan 2010 11:26
Rating: 3/5
Winn

Al Ain: Shaikh Eisa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has been acquitted of assaulting an Afghan merchant after the Al Ain Court of First Instance found him not responsible for his actions which were videotaped and put on the internet last year.

The court also cleared Shaikh Eisa of endangering the life of the Afghan merchant, M.S., and of sexually abusing him with a stick.

The jury also granted M.S. Dh10,000 in temporary compensation against libel damages which he claimed he incurred after two American brothers posted the videotape on the internet.

The merchant had sued the American brothers, G.N. and B.N., for libel and claimed Dh100,000 in temporary compensation.

The brothers were sentenced to five years in jail each after the court convicted them of possessing drugs to carry out a criminal act, endangering the life of Shaikh Eisa (they mixed the drug with his drink and served it to him), defamed and insulted Shaikh Eisa by broadcasting what the bill of charges termed as "slanderous videotape".

In absentia

"We are pleased with the judgment… because my client's acquittal shows that he was a victim of a conspiracy," Dr Habib Al Mulla, the lawyer of Shaikh Eisa, told Gulf News.

The court imprisoned a 40-year-old Syrian, identified as Y.K., one year after he was incriminated of assaulting and abusing the merchant.

Meanwhile, F.I., a Palestinian, and N.M., an Indian, who are both at large, were sentenced in absentia to three years in jail each.

The court found them guilty of sexually molesting and abusing the Afghan and assaulting him as well. A Nepali suspect, C.G, who was also accused of the same charges, was acquitted.

In an earlier hearing, a doctor from Abu Dhabi's Forensic Laboratory testified before the Al Ain Court that the medication given to Shaikh Eisa at the time when he allegedly assaulted the merchant may lead to loss of memory and uncontrollable behaviour.

Dr Al Mulla handed over to the jury the reports from Tawam Hospital confirming that the medication given to Shaikh Eisa has severe side effects on the nervous system and may lead to aggressiveness, uncontrolled behaviour and loss of memory.

Dr Al Mulla protested his client's innocence and presented to the jury medical reports confirming that the medicines given to Shaikh Eisa caused him to lose his free will. Shaikh Eisa pleaded not guilty to the charges of assault and endangering the Afghan's life.

Dr Al Mulla defended: "B.N. and G.N. plotted the whole incident. They gave my client nearly 66 medicines, some of which contained drugs and mind-affecting substances, over a long period."

http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/crime/lawyer-verdict-proves-eisa-was-victim-of-conspiracy-1.566301

-----------------------------

WOW!

By Olive• 12 Jan 2010 14:31
Olive

2 were given 30 months is jail the other 2 were acquitted. The Sheikh got house arrest. Pretty much the same sentence.

"We submit to the majority because we have to. But we are not compelled to call our attitude of subjection a posture of respect." Ambrose Bierce

By Olive• 12 Jan 2010 14:29
Olive

And I say it's everywhere, especially in the United States. We just call in racisim there instead of classism.

As for slavery, until the 1950's and in many cases later, these people were ruled by the British and other colonials where they were treated as an inferior people. We have no one to blame but ourselves that when we finally let them control their own lives they imitated us to perfection.

"We submit to the majority because we have to. But we are not compelled to call our attitude of subjection a posture of respect." Ambrose Bierce

By Nic• 12 Jan 2010 14:29
Rating: 3/5
Nic

Olive,

I just checked in Wikipedia,.

Actually the cops in Rodney King's case were in fact prosecuted:

Federal trial of officers

After the riots, the United States Department of Justice reinstated investigation and obtained an indictment of violations of federal civil rights against the four officers. The federal trial focused more on the evidence as to the training of officers instead of just relying on the videotape of the incident. On March 9 of the 1993 trial, King took the witness stand and described to the jury the events as he remembered them.[20] The jury found Officer Laurence Powell and Sergeant Stacey Koon guilty, who were subsequently sentenced to 30 months in prison, while Timothy Wind and Theodore Briseno were acquitted of all charges.

Cultural impact of the event

The video of the beating is an example of inverse surveillance of citizens watching police. Several copwatch organizations were subsequently organized nationally to safeguard against police abuse, including an umbrella group, October 22 Coalition to Stop Police Brutality.[21] The clip to Ministry's song "N.W.O." features a re-enactment of the assault video, substituting a woman dressed as the Statue of Liberty for King.

After the riots

King was awarded $3.8 million in a civil case and used some of the proceeds to start a hip hop music label, Straight Alta-Pazz Recording Company.[22]

see more here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodney_King

By Nic• 12 Jan 2010 14:24
Nic

Olive,

We are not perfect, as I said since my first post; we are humans and those things happen all over the world.

It’s the FREQUENCY and the GENERAL ACCEPTANCE AS THE NORM that I pin point in this region, which distinguishes it from the rest of the world.

The culture is just conditioned to still think like if Slavery is still legal and it’s ok to mistreat low classes.

It’s all over and around us here in the Gulf!

By Olive• 12 Jan 2010 14:16
Olive

They aren't the same people and it's not the exact same situation. My point is where not as good as you'd like to make us out to be.

"We submit to the majority because we have to. But we are not compelled to call our attitude of subjection a posture of respect." Ambrose Bierce

By Nic• 12 Jan 2010 14:14
Nic

The distinct reactions to similar situations, from western and gulf societies, also prove what i am trying to say.

By Olive• 12 Jan 2010 14:11
Olive

So? it was still a case where the beating of a man was caught on tape and the people who did it got off. Who knows what the long term reaction to this will be.

"We submit to the majority because we have to. But we are not compelled to call our attitude of subjection a posture of respect." Ambrose Bierce

By Olive• 12 Jan 2010 14:09
Olive

Respected OJ or respected this Sheikh? I don't see how you could respect the Sheikh no matter what he says.

"We submit to the majority because we have to. But we are not compelled to call our attitude of subjection a posture of respect." Ambrose Bierce

By Nic• 12 Jan 2010 14:09
Nic

That's what started the LA riots!

By mintus• 12 Jan 2010 14:08
mintus

We do have similar things in the west like OJ Simpson,but he has been vilified by the majority of the western world and the same should be done with this guy.

I would have respected him if he said " Yes I made a huge mistake and I am sorry"and maybe did a few months in Jail but this way it shows him as a coward.

By Nic• 12 Jan 2010 14:07
Nic

None of those alleged crimes were caught on video and none of those court's decisions were so ridiculous and insulting as this one!

What happened here, the way it was dealt with and accepted seems to be the norm in this region / culture. There are many examples surrounding us daily, thus my harsh tone!

I sincerely wish that I was wrong and nothing that I am trying to say here was reasonable, but unfortunately for the so many victims, it’s not the case!

By Olive• 12 Jan 2010 14:06
Olive

Rodney King?

"We submit to the majority because we have to. But we are not compelled to call our attitude of subjection a posture of respect." Ambrose Bierce

By Olive• 12 Jan 2010 13:52
Olive

What if the guy was a Kennedy? Lord knows the Kenndy's wiped away a rape & murder. The former Prime Minster of Canada's son was arrested for possessing child porn, do you think he ever went to jail? What if this was Prince Andrew who'd done it? In every country in the world there are those that are "above" the law. We just hide it better.

"We submit to the majority because we have to. But we are not compelled to call our attitude of subjection a posture of respect." Ambrose Bierce

By Nic• 12 Jan 2010 13:48
Nic

Olive,

The other difference is that the west has laws to protect human beings, regardless their economic background! Maids that are abused have a System to protect them.

Construction workers in Canada can make more money than Engineers and they also have a System to protect them as professionals and as human beings!

Yes, you might have seen all that and I don’t doubt or deny it doesn’t exist, but it’s the frequency that I am talking about. In the west its exceptions and its not ok if they occur! Here, it seams to be the norm and it seams that it’s ok to be like that.

have this case involved western and been made public in the west, this guy would have no chances and if he did, the public and Media would not remain in silence!

Do you agree with me?

By Olive• 12 Jan 2010 13:39
Olive

You don't see those things because the vast majority of our countries can't afford the kind of construction and domestic labour on a large scale that this region can. Have I seen maids follow their masters around with a dull face, yup, in Upper East side New York and those masters were white as snow. Have I seen people beaten and abused by people who thought they were better then them, yup, amongst the homeless in our countries and the prostitutes, the people on welfare, minorities, homosexuals, etc etc etc etc. The only difference is that the West has a larger middle class so these things are not as obvious and in your face as they are here.

"We submit to the majority because we have to. But we are not compelled to call our attitude of subjection a posture of respect." Ambrose Bierce

By BeeP• 12 Jan 2010 13:35
BeeP

thanks for updating us with the outcome of this case

but seriously, how pathetic could their defense get? and even worse, how they cud so pathetically get away with it?!

read the full story through the link above

as for some of the comments i came across here;

no point in generalizing, everything has its pros n cons, just focus on this issue

Aim for the stars..

Reach the roof

By Nic• 12 Jan 2010 13:34
Nic

Olive,

Just a tiny example: can you compare the way domestic helpers or construction workers are generally treated in Canada and in this region?

How often you see in Canada maids following their masters with a dull face?

I could be here the whole day writing down daily examples of life’s reality here which is abnormal in civilized societies, but its not necessary as you know exactly what I am trying to say.

It’s almost engraved in the culture the treatment applicable to each class!

By Olive• 12 Jan 2010 13:33
Olive

Why is it so surprising that he got off free, the cops that beat Rodney King half to death got off and that was caught on video to.

"We submit to the majority because we have to. But we are not compelled to call our attitude of subjection a posture of respect." Ambrose Bierce

By Eve• 12 Jan 2010 13:31
Eve

We can't lump all of the Arabs worldwide with this crazy guy, did you forget Damler in the US that ate people, or Timothy McVeigh or Simpson,or the British boys that put the little boy on the tran tracks, etc. etc. What is really unbelievable in this case is even when the disgusting violence is proven by a video tape the person still gets off scot free. Well I guess once he attacks a member of his own family if he is indeed so drug induced then they might wake up. They are setting a really bad example for the rest of the Gulf. Its just as shameful to lump law abiding citizens with the likes of this criminal.

By Olive• 12 Jan 2010 13:26
Olive

I see it everywhere Nic. It's easier to see here, yes, because the ruling elite is quite obvious in their white thobes & black abayas, but go anywhere in the world and see if the rich don't treat the poor with the same lack of respect.

"We submit to the majority because we have to. But we are not compelled to call our attitude of subjection a posture of respect." Ambrose Bierce

By Nic• 12 Jan 2010 13:23
Nic

Olive,

As I said, humans are not perfect.

but generalized human abuse of the less privilege, have you seen it elsewhere as we see it here?

By Olive• 12 Jan 2010 13:17
Olive

Bit harsh Nic. Do you honestly think we in the West are much better? Or is it just more respectable that we get our soldiers to carry out our torture for us?

"We submit to the majority because we have to. But we are not compelled to call our attitude of subjection a posture of respect." Ambrose Bierce

By mintus• 12 Jan 2010 13:14
mintus

I am totally rocking off my head on Panadol and cough medicine.I am off to the desert to mow down a few guys and gals. My Cameraman has said he will take blame if I pay him enough. WOOHOO great times ahead. sssh dont tell anyone. :P

By Nic• 12 Jan 2010 13:08
Nic

Sure that humans are far from perfection in all parts of the world. But there is something about the petrodollar power trips associated with lack of education that leads to the abuses described in this post as well as the abuse of the domestic helpers and labor! Seen in this region (culture) with much more intensity than in any where else in the world! Not far from the reality a few thousands years ago!

As for the family seeing him as a problem, it might be the case but because he was caught, not because what he did.

The regional civilization's evolution long path is still at its beginning and the savage nature is alive and kicking. Many centuries of desert isolation and illiterateness preserved well the savage mentalities of millenniums ago.

I know it’s not politically correct to affirm this, but if we want be honest and fare to the world, it can’t be denied! The savage behavior is much higher in this region than any other part of the world!

It might be cultural, but it sure is primitive!

By Olive• 12 Jan 2010 13:07
Olive

Well then maybe he'll drown in the bathtub. Right now the Royal family is probably thinking of the best and least scandalous way to get rid of him.

"We submit to the majority because we have to. But we are not compelled to call our attitude of subjection a posture of respect." Ambrose Bierce

By genesis• 12 Jan 2010 13:03
genesis

He’s under house arrest & they’re in fact keeping an eye on him. Many stories now starting to surface about his many 'sadistic' adventures. Pictures of him partying & looking really wasted are circulated in many Arab forums

By Olive• 12 Jan 2010 12:47
Olive

Personally I'm willing to place bets that this guy will die in a car "accident" in the next year. Fact of the matter is that people in this area of the world are still pretty big on handling their own problems, and there's no doubt after this that his family will see him as a problem to be disposed of. Let them handle it their way and rest assured that karma will bite him in the ass in the end.

By verisimilitude• 12 Jan 2010 12:41
verisimilitude

O.J. Simpson was walkin around scott free wasn't he?

And that was MURDER, not just torture...

also, I agree with genesis... his comment about the US Army...

By Winn• 12 Jan 2010 12:01
Winn

Nic,

I wouldnt absolve people of any ethnicity of having a beast within them. We have had enough examples in our own backyard. But yes,the region (not just locals but quite a few expats too)could do with more respect for people irrespective of their socio-economic backgrounds, i guess. OR in other words respect for manual labor is not there. generally it seems to be looked down upon to clean up your own mess.

remember the outrage it caused when there was a move to allow Saudi women as maids?

As for relegions causing it, I guess its the other way round. The need for a clannish 'us v/s them' mentality to justify appropriation of power, is what cause religions, IMHO.

Natural resources and free lunches in general give people a false sense of entitlement, wherever it is.

By Nic• 12 Jan 2010 08:54
Nic

Winn,

I have traveled the world and lived in the 4 corners; I never had seen so much hypocrisy and entire societies behaving like beasts, like in this machiavellic part of the world.

I wonder if the birth place of the main problematic 3 religions and/or the excessive natural resources have something to do with this generalized disguised savage behavior in this same region?!

Why on earth they feel the need to exhibit a trendy modern civilized mask when in fact their nature is closer to savage beasts?!

So much fake religion to cover so many sins!!!!!!!!!

By Winn• 12 Jan 2010 08:20
Winn

Nic,

Here is some more of that

http://gulfnews.com/news/region/lebanon/rights-group-calls-for-steps-to-curb-abuse-of-housemaids-1.149566

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/12/02/lebanon.suicides/index.html

http://eliesmith.blogspot.com/2008/06/lebanon-unexplained-suicides-of.html

By GodFather.• 12 Jan 2010 07:38
GodFather.

No surprise at all..

-----------------

"HE WHO DARES WINS"

Derek Edward Trotter

By anonymous• 11 Jan 2010 20:16
anonymous

We really shouldn't let it go a topic of gossip or discussion & then forget it after a week. If such hideous monsters are out there then tomorrow they can do this to our loved ones or us. If there is anything that can be done to bring justice. I am all in. Lets not wait for karma

By grandkruizer• 11 Jan 2010 19:59
grandkruizer

I think the video clips are like a campaign that says its not a good idea to eff with powerful people or else there will be sand in your mouth and your anus.

By teepatter• 11 Jan 2010 15:12
teepatter

game over it would..

By Nic• 11 Jan 2010 14:33
Nic

In no country where rule of law applies, crimes are excused in the name of sadism!

Imagine all the violent perpetrators staring to defend themselves by claiming "ooops, its not my fault I’m sadist".

Only in the Gulf!

By Mandilulur• 11 Jan 2010 14:24
Mandilulur

Just FYI, sadism is not considered as a personality disorder in the DSM IV. And personality disorders are not considered a defense in the US judicial system.

Mandi

By Nic• 11 Jan 2010 13:29
Nic

The Gulf in its best:

http://www.arabianbusiness.com/578280-330-sri-lankan-maids-died-in-mideast-in-2009

By movemove• 11 Jan 2010 13:26
movemove

lol all the expats leave? game over for the gulf.........its nothing without foreigners

By movemove• 11 Jan 2010 13:25
movemove

nasty piece of work...inshallah he will get his someday .....karma

By teepatter• 11 Jan 2010 11:54
teepatter

I wish all the expast leave at the same time...let's see what happens.

By anonymous• 11 Jan 2010 11:49
anonymous

Good the judge didn't say, If you don't like the torture then get out of our country :)

**** Aal Izz Well****

By Olive• 11 Jan 2010 11:40
Olive

It's disgusting but the fact of the matter is that rich, influential people flout the law everywhere. Look at the Kennedy history, or the history of any Royal family. There's skeletons in all their closets.

By noufal closed 1671878521• 11 Jan 2010 11:37
noufal closed 1671878521

By Nic• 11 Jan 2010 11:37
Nic

This case is just a display of the hidden ugly side of these societies governed by this type of rulers!

By teepatter• 11 Jan 2010 11:36
teepatter

I just wonder what happens if that medication was prescribed to a thirdworld national with the same listed side effects..

By genesis• 11 Jan 2010 11:27
genesis

I’m not agreeing or accepting the court ruling. However, in court system now sadomasochism & pedophilia is recognized as personality disorder.

Again, due to his family name & him being the brother of the current ruler. I Doubt, that outcome of Psychiatry test to be made available to the public. He’s still under house arrest as per local newspapers.

By ringohiqups• 11 Jan 2010 11:22
ringohiqups

surprise !surprise!!

By Nic• 11 Jan 2010 11:14
Nic

Genesis,

I wish I haven’t learnt what I did by being here in the Gulf!

This case and the regional people's reaction to it, speaks loads!

:(

By Nic• 11 Jan 2010 11:13
Nic

Why in this part of the world, when people lack of a valuable argument, they tend to divert the debate towards something else?

I was watching the Doha Debates yesterday and realized it is a trend in this part of the world.

A spectator asked the Dubai officials why doesn't Dubai take any responsibility and act upon its damaging Environmental records, and the official replied, "how about Europe and the US?”

Same here, my dear friend Genesis! Don't you think that one does not give an excuse for the other? Are we here debating US policy or this UAE court case?

Counter debating the way you did and the way the Dubai Official did yesterday in the Doha Debates, implies defensive insecurity.

By Hu Wan• 11 Jan 2010 10:55
Hu Wan

Apropos: he could've eaten sh*t to prove it!

By qatarmedic• 11 Jan 2010 10:50
qatarmedic

KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT...

there is no place like home.

By LeBaNeSeMaN• 11 Jan 2010 10:38
LeBaNeSeMaN

genesis u r right

not only their soldiers and marines should be set to trial also their officials and leaders should be sentenced to death for being war criminals.

By phoenix2009• 11 Jan 2010 10:30
phoenix2009

another side of the story, the two personal assistants of the sheikh who smuggled the video are accused to secretly give the drugs to the sheikh and were sentenced 5 years in prison.

NEVER EVER accept the job of SHEIKH's personla assistant, you'll be the black sheep.

Yalla!

By anonymous• 11 Jan 2010 10:23
anonymous

hahahhahahha this is their coutry ...

By ummjake• 11 Jan 2010 10:17
ummjake

record and no transgressions before one can criticize what another individual hailing from another country does?

Or is it only Americans you can't stand critiquing things?

I don't support what my country did at Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo or many other places. I don't support the fact that the Blackwater guards had charges dismissed against them recently.

Is that what you need to hear to feel better?

If my country annoys you that much, then why not start your own thread about it where you can spout off about the many issues and examples of American hubris? God knows, there are many to choose from...

But THIS thread is about the sheikh being found not guilty.

Your last paragraph sounds like you're agreeing with the court's reasoning that the sheikh was "unaware" of his actions, that the sheikh may have a personality disorder (which excuses his behavior, you imply). If you (and the courts) think that is true, then he should definitely be required to be held and evaluated by a psychiatrist -- because we wouldn't want other people to be sadistically attacked by someone who clearly isn't in control of their behavior.

By my_kris2ffer• 11 Jan 2010 09:58
my_kris2ffer

it wasn't suprise at all, the filling of the case in the court upto the hearing in the court maybe is just for publicity... its not only in UAE also it used to happened in other part of the world and we must live with it whether we like it or not.

always remember money and power can do everything...

DON'T LET FANTASY ROB YOU OF YOUR REAL LIFE BEAUTY

By Living_in_Qatar• 11 Jan 2010 09:49
Living_in_Qatar

What about the policeman who was next to him and assisting him in the torture..?

Was he also on durgs?....

By genesis• 11 Jan 2010 09:49
genesis

iI don't care to debate the’ Dubai case’ with you Nic or to anyone else in that matter..i was just responding to ummjake’s tone on her post

By genesis• 11 Jan 2010 09:27
genesis

ummjake said I just wish they had the stones to say to the rest of the world ...

"Look, in our country, we don't think it's okay to put "the US ARMY " on trial. The "the US ARMY " is off limits. It's against our cultural ethos" --

...I wouldn’t thought you had the nerve to bring this up specially that the US is not much that different …when it comes to abusing & torture ( Abu Ghraib, anyone)

By the way, it’s 2010 already how come the new pictures are still kept away from the public.

Yes what this sheikh have done was sick & clear case of abuse of power. Yet in a personal level, Sadistic behavior as a personality disorder are considered in such rulings

By Nic• 11 Jan 2010 08:53
Nic

This just shows to the world the level of honesty, integrity, hypocrisy and human abuse these societies are founded upon!

Even more disturbing than the act and the court decision itself, is the partial and non defying tone used by the international media. They limit themselves reporting the court case, as if it was a true and regular one, without any further questioning or investigation of the fabricated verdict.

Their passivity and silence is also a big insult, almost endorsing the case and it shows how money can play a role in influencing the Media!

By Arien• 11 Jan 2010 08:38
Arien

Human rights!! wow

By LeBaNeSeMaN• 11 Jan 2010 08:37
LeBaNeSeMaN

ummjake :D thats funny "I'm curious to know which medications he was on, because the ones he was taking must have "cause unprovoked bouts of sadistic violence against third country nationals" listed as a side effect on their labels "

By mintus• 11 Jan 2010 08:24
mintus

I dont actually know what to say, We knew it would happen but it was waiting for the moronic story as to how he did not do it.

I never new there was a drug called Stupid.

He will be judged by God in the End and will have to pray each day with God knowing of his Lies and dishonor.

Shame on him!!

By Khanan• 11 Jan 2010 08:03
Khanan

and speechless!

What a ridicule??

The Poor Afghan guy should not let it go.

____________________________________________________

Have Courage To Live.

Anyone Can Die.

By anonymous• 11 Jan 2010 08:00
anonymous

Are there any drugs I can blame for my bouts of stupidity :(

**** Aal Izz Well****

By ummjake• 11 Jan 2010 07:58
ummjake

"Look, in our country, we don't think it's okay to put royals on trial. The royal family is off limits. It's against our cultural ethos" -- instead of going through the motions of a proper trial and coming out with THIS ridiculous verdict.

I'm curious to know which medications he was on, because the ones he was taking must have "cause unprovoked bouts of sadistic violence against third country nationals" listed as a side effect on their labels.

Probably should avoid prescribing that cocktail of meds to future patients...or maybe MORE folks should take them and try using the sheikh's defense as their own when they later beat the crap out of some unsuspecting person and get charged with it.

"If you're looking for sympathy, you'll find it between sh*t and syphilis in the dictionary."

- David Sedaris

By Olive• 11 Jan 2010 07:51
Olive

Are you really surprised by anything that happens in this region anymore?

By Mandilulur• 10 Jan 2010 20:25
Mandilulur

My understanding was that the video was inadmissible evidence.

Mandi

By KHATTAK• 10 Jan 2010 19:31
KHATTAK

A Sheikh/Sheikha in his/her own country can never be wrong... :-)

----------------------------------------------------------------Give me some SunShine......Give me some Rain

Give me another Chance...I wanna grow up once Again

By marycatherine• 10 Jan 2010 19:11
marycatherine

Not surprised I hope he's in treatment (hopefully he's forcibly confined) so that he won't harm anyone else.

Was/were the policeman/men in the video charged with dereliction of duty to protection of the public I wonder?

Signature line > "You can't fix stupid"

By Ms.Chief_vous• 10 Jan 2010 18:50
Ms.Chief_vous

....just one word. Retribution.

Peace.

By AJEJosh• 10 Jan 2010 18:43
AJEJosh

Check this out and make your mind up:

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2010/01/2010110133141501815.html

By anonymous• 10 Jan 2010 18:41
anonymous

Maybe he was innocent

By Omar Waheed.• 10 Jan 2010 18:32
Omar Waheed.

as twenty said... A BIG WASTA

_______________________

'' Live for Nothing or Die for Something ''

_______________________

By Salmamohd• 10 Jan 2010 18:30
Salmamohd

It was so obvious that he would be Cleared out of this messs:/

By anonymous• 10 Jan 2010 18:29
anonymous

"I'm back, simple as that"

By anonymous• 10 Jan 2010 18:28
anonymous

With Zayed Al Nahyan as his last name, what do you expect.

**** Aal Izz Well****

By twenty• 10 Jan 2010 18:28
twenty

Wasta

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