Driver 'forced to give urine sample'

ABU DHABI // Police took a urine sample by force from a driver facing seven traffic-related charges, a court has heard. KHS, an Emirati, appeared before Abu Dhabi Criminal Court of First Instance charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, consumption of alcohol, possession of alcohol, violation of public decency, sudden swerving, not abiding by traffic rules and damaging another's vehicle.

Prosecutors said KHS was driving in Abu Dhabi on May 25 when he suddenly swerved into a woman's car, damaging it. They suspected he was inebriated and took him to the police station for a urine test, the court heard. But KHS's lawyer told the court police procedures in administering the urine test were "inappropriate" and demanded all the charges against her client be dropped "because they were based on incorrect procedures".

"Police confessed - and this is documented in writing and with their signature - that my client refused to take a urine test and that they forced him into going to the police station and also into taking the test," Faiza Moussa, his lawyer, told the court. "It is legally unacceptable to expose a human body without a legal reason. This is violation of his privacy." She also told the court the urine test was taken without clearance from the Public Prosecution.

"The charges are clearly dubious because they were based on such procedures, and every evidence based on wrong procedures should be entirely rejected," she said. The verdict is expected to be delivered today. [e-mail]