20 Aug 2012
18 Apr 2011
Footballers arrested by Bahrain regime
Two Bahraini footballers have been arrested and more than 200 sportsmen suspended for taking part in anti-government protests that threaten the Gulf kingdom's ruling family. The move could leave Bahrain in breach of international rules separating politics and sport. All the men suspended are Shia Muslims. At least 28 people have died and hundreds have been injured in the Sunni regime's efforts to suppress the pro-democracy movement spearheaded by the country's Shia majority.
A'ala and Mohammed Hubail, stars of the national soccer team, were arrested during training with their club, al-Ahli, on Tuesday, local time, after state television broadcast footage of the brothers attending a pro-democracy rally in Pearl Square, in Manama.
A'ala Hubail, 28, was joint top scorer in the 2004 Asian Cup. A paramedic before he turned professional, he worked as a volunteer nurse during the protests.
14 Apr 2011
Cops beat Brit Lee Brown to death in Dubai cell
Lee Brown, 39 - arrested after a hotel row - was stripped and handcuffed before being pulverised by up to six officers with their feet, fists and batons. He was then dragged unconscious into solitary confinement where he was left battered and bloodied for three days before dying of his injuries.
One prisoner at the Bur Dubai police station - who The Sun contacted by mobile phone - said last night: "It was inhuman. He was cuffed by his hands and his legs. Officers were punching and kicking him everywhere. He was bleeding from the head and hands and crying, pleading for them to stop." Another witness said: "He was assaulted so badly his head split open. Then he was left to rot."
Lee's horrific punishment was revealed after two inmates at the police station phoned his family on Tuesday and begged them to help him. They had got his contact details from his passport.