ABU DHABI // An Appeals Court judge lost his temper with absentee defendants last week, vowing to no longer tolerate no shows in his court after a prisoner accused of kidnap and robbery refused to be disturbed from his cell.
Dr Khairi Kabbash, the head of Abu Dhabi's Appeals Court number three, has often complained to prison guards about defendants who fail to show up for their hearings.
On Thursday, one of five Indian men accused of kidnap, robbery, bootlegging and immigration offences failed to appear for his trial, instead passing the court a note through his prison guards apologising for his absence. His co-defendants were in court.
"Call the prison now and tell them we won't close today's hearing until he comes to court," said Dr Kabbash. "Let him come in a special car accompanied by the manager of the prison," he told the guards and the court's secretary.
About 45 minutes later, a prison guard appeared and informed the judge the inmate refused to be disturbed.
"This is not how justice is served!" boomed the judge. "He appeals his case and gets the court, the judges, the secretary and yourself, involved with his case while he is sleeping on his bed in prison.
"We will not take this anymore, you should have forced him," he added to the guard.
The guard replied that he could not force the prisoner to appear.
But Dr Khairi insisted: "He is an inmate you can force him to come to court."
The guard said if he did so the inmate could make a complaint against him.
"Let him complain against me too," replied Dr Kabbash, "there is no law that entitles him to appeal and not show up".
"He is accused of kidnap and robbery and the public prosecution appealed against [his sentence] as well. It's not like he has a cheque case and he is trying to play with time," added the chief justice.
The judge decided that the court would no longer accept notes excusing absentee defendants. He said that in future, if a defendant decided not to show up he would have to sign a letter giving up his right to appeal. This letter would have to be signed and stamped by the prison manager.
The prisoner's case was adjourned until May 13.
hdajani@thenational.ae
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Have a white front-light and a back red-light on their bike
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Avoid carrying weights that could cause the bike to lose balance
They must cycle on designated lanes and areas and ride safe on pavements to avoid bumping into pedestrians
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Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
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Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
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Selma Abdelhamid, the group's moderator, offers her guide to guide the cost of having a young family:
• Buy second hand stuff
They grow so fast. Don't get a second hand car seat though, unless you 100 per cent know it's not expired and hasn't been in an accident.
• Get a health card and vaccinate your child for free at government health centres
Ms Ma says she discovered this after spending thousands on vaccinations at private clinics.
• Join mum and baby coffee mornings provided by clinics, babysitting companies or nurseries.
Before joining baby classes ask for a free trial session. This way you will know if it's for you or not. You'll be surprised how great some classes are and how bad others are.
• Once baby is ready for solids, cook at home
Take the food with you in reusable pouches or jars. You'll save a fortune and you'll know exactly what you're feeding your child.
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