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| PM concern over British trio's claims of torture by Dubai police | PM concern over British trio's claims of torture by Dubai police |
| (12 days later) | |
| David Cameron has expressed concern over allegations that three British men were tortured by police in Dubai after their arrest on drugs charges and has pledged to raise their case during a visit to the UK this week by the president of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). | David Cameron has expressed concern over allegations that three British men were tortured by police in Dubai after their arrest on drugs charges and has pledged to raise their case during a visit to the UK this week by the president of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). |
| A judge in the Gulf state is expected to give a verdict on Monday in the trial of Grant Cameron, Suneet Jeerh, both 25, and Karl Williams, 26, who all deny charges of having a quantity of a synthetic cannabis known as "spice" in their car while on holiday in July last year. | A judge in the Gulf state is expected to give a verdict on Monday in the trial of Grant Cameron, Suneet Jeerh, both 25, and Karl Williams, 26, who all deny charges of having a quantity of a synthetic cannabis known as "spice" in their car while on holiday in July last year. |
| The three Londoners claim that they signed documents in Arabic – a language none of them understands – following their arrests because they were threatened with guns to their heads. | The three Londoners claim that they signed documents in Arabic – a language none of them understands – following their arrests because they were threatened with guns to their heads. |
| Williams also also described having a towel put on his face by police and having electric shocks on his testicles, according to Reprieve, the Human Rights charity. | Williams also also described having a towel put on his face by police and having electric shocks on his testicles, according to Reprieve, the Human Rights charity. |
| In a letter to Reprieve, the prime minister said: "We continue to press for evidence for a full, impartial and independent investigation into the allegations. The absence of an independent medical examination remains a concern." | In a letter to Reprieve, the prime minister said: "We continue to press for evidence for a full, impartial and independent investigation into the allegations. The absence of an independent medical examination remains a concern." |
| He continued: "During the state visit of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan there will be opportunities to raise a wide range of issues including concerns about this and other consular cases. | He continued: "During the state visit of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan there will be opportunities to raise a wide range of issues including concerns about this and other consular cases. |
| "We continue to request these cases are fully and independently investigated." | "We continue to request these cases are fully and independently investigated." |
| The men, who appeared at their first trial hearing in February after spending seven months in custody, have denied charges of "consumption and possession with intent to distribute". The alleged torture, which the police deny, took place in the desert, it was claimed, where the men were initially taken after their arrest, and subsequently in hotel rooms. | The men, who appeared at their first trial hearing in February after spending seven months in custody, have denied charges of "consumption and possession with intent to distribute". The alleged torture, which the police deny, took place in the desert, it was claimed, where the men were initially taken after their arrest, and subsequently in hotel rooms. |
| Grant Cameron's mother, Tracy, told the Press Association that her son remained in "good spirits" ahead of the court hearing, adding: "Grant had only been in the country for four days when he was arrested. | Grant Cameron's mother, Tracy, told the Press Association that her son remained in "good spirits" ahead of the court hearing, adding: "Grant had only been in the country for four days when he was arrested. |
| "For 45 minutes, they were Tasered, beaten around the head and handcuffed before they were taken back to the hotel where Grant was staying. They were put in separate rooms and had guns held to their heads. They were told they would be killed and told they would never see their families again. Grant feigned being diabetic which seemed to calm things down a bit." | "For 45 minutes, they were Tasered, beaten around the head and handcuffed before they were taken back to the hotel where Grant was staying. They were put in separate rooms and had guns held to their heads. They were told they would be killed and told they would never see their families again. Grant feigned being diabetic which seemed to calm things down a bit." |
| She said she has been informed by the men's lawyers that her son could be found guilty of at least one of the charges, which may result in a jail sentence of 15 years or longer. | She said she has been informed by the men's lawyers that her son could be found guilty of at least one of the charges, which may result in a jail sentence of 15 years or longer. |
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