Dubai jailers jailed for beatings

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/7481975.stm

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A court in the UAE has given jail terms to a former prison director and members of staff after convicting them of involvement in beating prisoners.

Seven of the officers - including the former director - were jailed for six months and another 18 for three months.

The incident happened in 2007 in Dubai, when a number of inmates were assaulted during a search for drugs. One man is said to have suffered spinal damage.

Such trials and the attendant publicity are extremely rare in the UAE.

Press reports said the defendants were all accused of "abuse of power and ill-treatment of detainees under their guard".

According to statements from the attacked prisoners, warders and riot police formed two rows outside cell doors and ordered the men to come out.

As they moved between the two lines, the staff kicked and beat the prisoners.

The judge said of the man with spinal injuries, who is Armenian, "it was clear that detainees have been beaten".