Six men could face trial in the UK for manslaughter after UAE discus thrower Abdullah Hayayei was killed during training for the 2017 World Para Athletics Championships.
The six – aged between 20 and 71 – were questioned by police on suspicion of manslaughter by "gross negligence" over the death of the athlete in July 2017 when a throwing cage collapsed, according to police in the UK.
The wheelchair athlete and military veteran was struck on the head by a pole from the cage as it fell during a pre-event practice session, at a newly-prepared training ground for competitors in London, according to officials.
Mr Hayayei, 36, died despite the best efforts of spectators, who tried to lift the cage from the stricken father-of-five young children while paramedics treated him. He was declared dead 20 minutes after the accident.
Newham Leisure Centre, in East London, had been taken over by the organisers of the championships as a training venue three days before the accident, and they had brought all the equipment with them.
Two of Mr Hayayei’s coaches were with him at the time of the accident.
The role of the six men who could face trial in the incident was not disclosed but the investigation was likely to have focused on the cage and whether it was put up properly.
Wheelchair athletes with co-ordination problems are normally secured to a circle within the cage to allow them to throw safely.
Police from the homicide and major crime squad have completed their investigations and passed the file to lawyers, who will decide if there is enough evidence to prosecute.
“Six males, aged 71, 63, 36, 38, 20 and 47 have been interviewed under caution in relation to the incident on suspicion of manslaughter by gross negligence,” London police said in a statement.
“A file has been passed to the Crown Prosecution Service for consideration.”
No further details were given on the six suspects.
Gross negligence manslaughter carries a maximum sentence of life in prison with new guidelines suggesting those found guilty will serve anything between one and 18 years.
Mr Hayayei was part of a 16-strong UAE team, which decided to continue to compete despite some of them witnessing the accident.
Mohammed Al Hammadi, who won four medals at the championships, said he would donate his prizes to his late teammate’s children.
Mr Hayayei turned to sport after being injured in 2001 when a metal rod fell on his head.
He fought against the severe injuries, suffered during an army training accident when he was a serviceman, and went on to rebuild his life.
He competed in the 2015 World Championships in Qatar and the 2016 Paralympics in Brazil.
On Tuesday, his elder sister, Mariam Hayayei, 48, said the family has been waiting more than 18 months for answers.
"Not one of us has managed to forget what happened to Abdullah and we never will do," she told The National.
"His death affected us all and the people who were responsible for his death should receive the maximum punishment.
“My brothers are following up on the case and we don’t know why it’s taking them so much time to find the people responsible for Abdullah’s death, but we believe that justice will be served.”
An inquest into Mr Hayayei’s death, in which a coroner gives a formal cause of death and the circumstances surrounding it, has been delayed pending the prosecutors’ decision and potential criminal trial.
* Additional reporting by Ruba Haza
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Read more:
Athlete Abdullah Hayayei had rebuilt life after army accident nearly led to his death
Emirati athlete Abdullah Hayayei only spent one night in new family home before death
Emirati athlete dies during training in London
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Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
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Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
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- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
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