Gang leader hurt in car crash goes on trial via video link in Abu Dhabi

Accused appears from his hospital bed in a first for the emirate

Judicial officials are keen to speed up legal proceedings and avoid delays. The National

A man accused of running a gang that stole valuable cables went on trial via a video link, in a first for Abu Dhabi.

The accused, only identified as an Asian, remains in hospital with a fractured pelvis.

Two months ago, his vehicle crashed and flipped over as he tried to escape from police.

An Abu Dhabi Judicial Department prosecutor is conducting the trial via video conference to avoid further delay. The session this week involved a public prosecutor, a translator and the accused.

Officials said the accused was previously convicted and deported for stripping cables from companies along with other men.

He sneaked back into the country and continued to run the same racket, it is alleged.

His accomplices already admitted to the charges. Cables lined with copper and other valuable materials are favourite targets of thieves as they can be easily sold.

Video trials were made legal by a 2017 federal law designed to stop trials being held up, said Hassan Al Hammadi, head of the Public Prosecutions Department.