Dubai prison boss sentenced to jail for inmate beatings

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2008

DUBAI (AFP) — The former director of a Dubai jail and 24 wardens and police officers have been sentenced to prison terms for beating up inmates during a check for drugs, Gulf newspapers reported on Monday.

The trial of such officials and subsequent publicity is extremely rare in the Gulf, and most newspapers carried the story on their front page.

Official newspaper Al-Ittihad said the men were all accused of "abuse of power and ill-treatment of detainees under their guard."

The former director and six wardens and anti-riot police were sentenced to six months in prison while the 18 others received three-month sentences.

According to statements from the men who were attacked, the accused formed a double row outside the cells and ordered the men to come...