Protest claim over broken prison sink, Dubai court hears

Prison inmate tells court he broke his sink because he was denied breakfast, lunch and dinner.

DUBAI // An inmate at Dubai Central Prison who broke the sink in his solitary confinement cell did so because he had been denied food, bedsheets and medication, the Misdemeanour Court heard.

The 38-year-old Iranian MD failed to appear in court to enter a plea, but according to prosecution records, he confessed to damaging the sink and said he was prepared to pay the cost.

He said he had damaged the sink after returning from Rashid Hospital when officers did not respond to his requests for the items.

"I know what I did is wrong and I'm sorry," said the prisoner, who is serving time for a drug-related offence. He denied intending to use parts of the broken sink to cause harm to either himself or others.

The police officer AS told the court that the incident took place at about 8pm on April 28. He heard noises from the prisoner's cell, and when he arrived he saw the inmate jumping up and down on top of the sink.

The case was adjourned to Wednesday to summon the prisoner.