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UAE: today's seven-year sentence for a Qatari doctor is 'a farce'
While in detention Al-Jaidah’s interrogators threatened to peel off his nails and hang him upside down until he died
The authorities in the United Arab Emirates must immediately quash the conviction of a Qatari medical doctor who has been sentenced to seven years in jail today after a grossly unfair trial, said Amnesty International.
Mahmoud Abdulrahman al-Jaidah was arrested more than a year ago over alleged links to the Muslim Brotherhood.
While in detention Al-Jaidah’s interrogators threatened to peel off his nails and hang him upside down until he died. They also subjected him to brutal beatings on his face and his feet, deprived him of sleep and continually exposed him to bright lights. He was denied access to a lawyer while and was also prevented from having full access to a lawyer even during his trial, in flagrant violation of international fair trial standards. He has no right to appeal against today’s sentence.
Al-Jaidah is one of scores of prisoners of conscience unjustly imprisoned by the UAE authorities in the past year for alleged links to the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, an association legally established in 1974 in the UAE where it has been engaged in peaceful social and political debate.
Amnesty International Middle East and North Africa Deputy Director Said Boumedouha said:“Today’s disgraceful sentencing of Mahmoud al-Jaidah is a farce and makes a mockery of the UAE’s claim to be a progressive country that respects human rights.“He was arrested without a warrant, blindfolded and flung into solitary confinement before being repeatedly tortured, ill-treated and forced to sign papers he wasn’t allowed to read.“Mahmoud al-Jaidah’s treatment in detention was appalling. An independent investigation into his mistreatment must be conducted and those responsible brought to justice.“His conviction must be quashed and he must be immediately and unconditionally released.”