Ras Al Khaimah courts to hear detainees via video conference

Ras Al Khaimah - Detainees need not go to the courts or wait for a long time to be heard by the judges.

The Ras Al Khaimah Courts are set to start interrogating detainees via video conference without having them to appear in person at the hearing sessions in court rooms.
The novel scheme has been initiated in pursuance of the directives of Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince of Ras Al Khaimah, chairman of Executive Council and chairman of Judicial Council.
Advisor Dr Ahmad Al Khatri, chairman of RAK courts, said it has been launched in collaboration with the RAK Police. "The first-of-its-kind service in the country is aimed to expedite procedures, save time and effort."
Detainees need not go to the courts or wait for a long time to be heard by the judges, he added.
"The video conference facility is an added value to the other judicial services available during evening shift."
The RAK Police won't have to take additional precautionary measures to move the detainees to the courts, he underlined.
"A special room has been fully-equipped so that judges with RAK courts can easily and clearly see and hear the detainees."
The video conference service will cover the detainees in civil, commercial, labour and personal status cases, he disclosed.
"More initiatives are to be launched to turn the RAK courts into a smarter department."
In May 2018, the RAK Courts launched video conference whereby detainees need not appear at the public prosecution.
"The smart system cut interrogation time from eight to less than one hour," Attorney General Hassan Mohaimed was quoted as saying.
The smart room helps to connect the public prosecution with the punitive and correctional institution and all police stations in Ras Al Khaimah, he added.
"This distant visual communication connects prosecution, prison and police stations."
"Detainees can submit their complaints while the prosecutors and judges can extend the detention through this virtual service instead of having them to appear in person at the prosecution premises."
In March 2018, the RAK public prosecution announced that 19 of its services have become smart at its self-service happiness centre.
"The sophisticated kiosks, accessible at the centre, are opened during the working hours. Customers can also avail a copy of an e-predicament sheet and have access to e-signature."
Customers may also fill an e-application to collect their passports, and get a copy of a judgment. "The kiosks are also fitted with HD cameras, a scanner, printer, ID card reader, and finger print identifier."
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

• Ras Al Khaimah