Torture Scandal In Abu Dhabi May Grow

[G_j]

*warning: I would strongly suggest that you avoid watching the video. It's absolutely horrifying.

http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/05/04/world/worldwatch/entry4990516.shtml

May 4, 2009 3:55 PM
Torture Scandal In Abu Dhabi May Grow
Posted by Brian Montopoli


A disturbing video that aired last month on ABC News depicting what appears to be the torture of an Afghan grain farmer by a member of Abu Dhabi's royal family may represent just one of many instances of torture involving Sheik Issa bin Zayed al-Nahayan, a brother of the crown prince.

<snip>
But the tape might just be the first piece of evidence in a wider scandal. The Guardian reported on Sunday that the lawyer for Nabulsi, Sheik Issa's former partner, claims to have "more than two hours of video footage showing Sheikh Issa's involvement in the torture of more than 25 people." According to the newspaper, police are believed to be seen participating in the attacks and some of the victims are thought to be Sudanese immigrants.

Video of what appears to be al-Nahayan engaging in torture can be seen in the ABC News report and at www.uaetorture.com, from which the photos in this post are taken. The site's author says the site was banned in the UAE and writes that that "the Royal Family attempted to sweep the torture under the rug and ignore it."

The scandal has come at a particularly bad time for the royal family. The New York Times reported on Friday that the tape "provoked outrage from members of Congress, who said it could add fuel to lawmakers’ reservations about a pending civilian nuclear agreement between the United States and the United Arab Emirates."

The UAE badly wants the deal, which was worked out under President George W. Bush; it would mean the U.S. would share "expertise, technology and fuel in exchange for a promise by the Emirates to abide by international safeguards and the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty."

..more..

Guardian story:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/may/03/uae-sheikh-accusation-assualt-tape

Torture-tape Gulf prince accused of 25 other attacks
US lawyers claim they have videos implicating Abu Dhabi royal in more cases of torture, a week after outcry over his assaults on Afghan businessman.

(Warning: contains graphic images of violence)
Paul Harris in New York
The Observer, Sunday 3 May 2009

Sheikh Issa bin Zayed al Nahyan is being investigated in the United Arab Emirates

The wealthy Gulf prince at the centre of a "torture tape" scandal has been accused of attacking at least 25 other people in incidents that have also been caught on film, it has been claimed.

Sheikh Issa bin Zayed al-Nahyan is now under investigation in the United Arab Emirates after the shocking tape showed him beating a man with a nailed plank, setting him on fire, attacking him with a cattle prod and running him over.

But now lawyers for American businessman Bassam Nabulsi, who smuggled the tape out of the UAE, have written to the justice minister of Abu Dhabi - the most powerful of the emirates that make up the UAE - claiming to have considerably more evidence against Issa.

"I have more than two hours of video footage showing Sheikh Issa's involvement in the torture of more than 25 people," wrote Texas-based lawyer Anthony Buzbee in a letter obtained by the Observer.

..more..

[dgibby]

1. And who in our government could cast the first stone?

[cali]

3. our gov't didn't cast the first stone

that was done by a private citizen.

[Turbineguy]

2. Dang!

now that Sheikh will not be able to contribute to the Bush Library.

[SpiralHawk]

4. Torturers of a feather tend to flock together

Ptoooey on perverted, hate and fear-driven Republicon Family Values -- and their reflection in Abu Dhabi

[dgauss]

5. Congress was outraged

but did they notice that giant elephant in the room, decked out in dungeon garb?