DUBAI // No matter what crime a person is accused of, once arrested their human rights remain intact and they are treated well and with respect, Dubai Police have said.

“We believe in the principles of human rights and throughout any arrest process the suspect is in safe hands. It is also without hatred when we interrogate someone,” said Col Abdel Qadar Al Bannai, director of the Jebel Ali police station.

“The suspects are still people and any consequences they may face are through the justice system and not by the strength of muscles. Even if a person resists arrest, we always contain the situation without causing him any physical harm. We would never assault him.”

Col Al Bannai said that in most cases, the apprehended suspect was taken to the police station that has jurisdiction over the area in which he was arrested.

The law stipulates that a person cannot be detained for more than 48 hours, during which police take the suspect’s statement and gather evidence for a case file to be transferred to prosecution.

“The police have a maximum of 48 hours to transfer the case file, or else the suspect has the right to be released,” said Col Al Bannai.

“It is within the suspect’s rights to have his attorney present at the police station but in the big criminal cases, such as murder or rape, there is usually sufficient evidence – such as thumbprints or eye witnesses – presented to implicate the person.

“Also, if the suspect refuses to speak to the police then we will state in the case file that he did not want to say anything. But it is in his interest to defend himself if he was wrongfully accused.”

Following interrogations, the suspect is allowed to call his family and embassy to notify them of his whereabouts and situation.

Col Al Bannai said that in simpler cases, such as bounced cheques, the matter could be resolved by the police without being transferred to prosecution.

“If, for example, we get a complaint from someone that a person owes them a small amount of money, maybe Dh5,000 or Dh10,000, we try to resolve the matter by simply calling and summoning the person in question to the police station,” he said.

“If the person is able to provide the money or have someone sponsor him, then the case is resolved and there is no need for a transfer to prosecution. If he is unable to pay the money then the matter must be transferred to prosecution.”

Col Al Bannai said cases such as assault with no bodily harm and cursing can also be resolved in the same manner, especially if the person who files the complaint drops the case.

But in some cases, such as theft, even if the person who filed the complaint decided to drop the case, the suspect would still be transferred to public prosecution.

“If, for example, a housekeeper steals from her employers but they choose to drop the case, the file will be sent to prosecution regardless,” he said. “Without a record, the person might end up working elsewhere and commit the same crime.”

Most complaints received by the Jebel Ali police station were for financial crimes, said Col Al Bannai.

“Our job is to make sure that we meet the legal deadline and implement the proper procedures. It does not matter whether we are dealing with citizens or expatriates, the country is home to many diverse people and everyone has rights.”

dmoukhallati@thenational.ae