Foreign detainees face torture in continued detention

The arbitrary detentions of foreign nationals in the UAE has continued, despite appeals for their release. An Egyptian national, Sameh Bassiouni Abdullah Alam, resident in Oman was arrested on a trip to Dubia. He was sentenced to one month in prison in February 2015 after he signed a “confession”. Despite having served his one month sentence he remains in prison.

He was sentenced after the court found him guilty of falsely reporting a crime. Alam has signed a “confession” which stated that a member of his wife’s family was a member of the Muslim Brotherhood.

Amnesty International have issued an urgent action alert and suspect that the reason behind Alam’s arrest could relate to the trial of his brother-in-law, Islam al-Makawi. Al-Makawi is on trial in Egypt in connection with the killing of a security guard at ousted president Mohammad Morsi’s trial.

In his last contact with his wife, Alam reported that his health had detoriorated, he had not recieved medical attention, had last 40kg and was being in solitary confinement.

Alam is not the only foreign national who’s detention term has expired. Jordanian national, Rami Shaher Abdel Jalil Al Mrayat, was accused of espionage for Iran and found guilty based on a confession as a result of torture. Al Mrayat was sentenced to 5 years in prison and has served 3/4 of the required sentence which allows for release upon good behaviour. His good behaviour was confirmed by a Jordanian embassy official. Al Mrayat was held at an unknown location where he was detained and severely tortured , including sleep deprivation, electric shocks and being physically beaten.

Both foreign nationals have been detained beyond their required periods and there are widespread calls for their releases.