Video call interrogation for hospitalised suspects in UAE

Abu Dhabi - The initiative is intended to speed up the judicial process as part of continuous developments.

Bed-ridden suspects who are unable to go to the public prosecution office in Abu Dhabi can now be interrogated at the hospital through video conferencing.
The Public Prosecutors in Abu Dhabi said their first video teleconferencing session or remote investigation involved the interrogation of an expat, who was arrested over the theft of electric cables. He was admitted to a hospital in Abu Dhabi after suffering from a broken pelvis. This prompted prosecutors to use the video conferencing interrogation session. The session involved the suspect in the hospital room, a prosecutor who was questioning him from his office and a translator who interpreted questions for the offender from the translation centre at the courts.
According to the public prosecution, the video conferencing is part of their pioneering initiatives to promote legal standards and safeguard the rights of defendants.
Counselor Ali Mohammed Al Baloushi, Attorney-General of Abu Dhabi, said the initiative is intended to speed up the judicial process as part of continuous developments.
"The remote investigation sessions using video conferencing provides the accused with a fair interrogation before the case is referred to court," said Al Baloushi, adding that the new service ensures that the accused is not subjected to any physical of moral pressure or coercion during questioning.
In 2018, the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) launched the 'remote trial' or virtual courtrooms at both the criminal and misdemeanour courts, to allow defendants to appear for hearing sessions from the correctional facilities via video link.
ismail@khaleejtimes.com

• Abu Dhabi