Police in UAE swing into action after abuse victim posts a video on Twitter

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Sharjah police, Jasmine Sultana, Police, UAE, arrest, abusive husband, woman, Twitter plea,
In no time, the video went viral and was retweeted by nearly 37,000 people.- Alamy Image

Sharjah - The Consulate-General of India to Dubai issued a tweet in response to Jasmine's plea.

by

Anjana Sankar

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Published: Wed 13 Nov 2019, 6:00 PM

Last updated: Thu 14 Nov 2019, 10:37 AM

The Sharjah Police swung into action and detained an Indian man on Wednesday after his wife took to Twitter and sought help to leave her husband, who allegedly abused her.

In the short video clip posted by Jasmine Sultana, 33, at 8.55pm on Tuesday, the mother of two from Bengaluru, could be seen in a distressed  state, bleeding from one eye and with a swollen face. "Please help, I don't want to stay with my husband. I have two kids and I want to go back to India," she said.
In no time, the video went viral and was retweeted by nearly 37,000 people tagging UAE law enforcement authorities as well as Indian missions and government.
"I want to thank Twitter and all those who messaged me and supported me. I am relieved that my husband is in police custody now. All these years, I suffered abuse, humiliation and violence in my marriage. Not any more," Jasmine, a postgraduate, told Khaleej Times over the phone.
"He assaulted me violently on Sunday night. He punched more on my eyes, twisted my hands backwards, and hit me on my ribs, on my neck and my head. I thought I would die," she said, adding that she decided to come out because she could not bear it anymore.
The couple has two boys aged five years and 17 months.
Incidentally, Jasmine's video appeared two days after His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, passed a new family protection law to prevent domestic abuse and protect victims.
The Sharjah Police confirmed that they have responded to the news of an Asian woman who was suffering from domestic abuse and have taken the man into custody for questioning.
"The case was dealt with by competent authorities," the police said on their Twitter account.
"The Sharjah Police General Headquarters urges members of the public not to share such cases because of the negative repercussions and disturbances among the community." The video has since been taken down.
The Consulate-General of India to Dubai issued a tweet in response to the Jasmine's plea.
It said: "We met Jasmine today and are in regular touch with her. We have called her husband to the consulate tomorrow, and understand that local authorities are already questioning him. We will provide all possible help to Jasmine."
Years of ordeal
Jasmine, who was working as an HR professional in Bengaluru, alleged that her husband M.F., who works as a business development manager, has always been abusive but she kept "compromising and cooperating". She married him in 2013 after her first divorce many years ago, and came to the UAE.
"He would insult and harass me, saying I am a used woman and that my father did not offer him good dowry. He stole whatever jewellery my father had given me."
According to her, she had complained about his violence to her parents who intervened many times, but he did not mend his ways.
"On Sunday night, a fight broke out and he started beating me violently in front of my kids. My kids were screaming and he locked the front door and the balcony so that I cannot escape. He disconnected the landline but I managed to get hold of my mobile phone," she claimed.
Jasmine added that her husband later took her to the hospital when their five-year-old son would not stop crying till he agreed to take her to the hospital.
"We went to Thumbay Hospital in Ajman and despite my husband's pleas, I told the doctor what happened. They called the Sharjah Police and asked both of us to come back the next day for interrogation.
"I vomited twice and fainted at my neighbour's door. They immediately called the ambulance and took me to Al Qasimi hospital. I posted the video on Tuesday night after coming back from the hospital."
According to her, the police took her husband in custody and has filed a case in  court.
"I have also approached the Indian consulate who has promised to intervene. I am an educated woman and I can take care of my kids if I go back to India. My passport is with him and that is why I could not leave till now," said Jasmine.
If you are a victim of domestic violence:
>Call 999 for help
>Seek medical help and get a hospital record that can be presented in court
>Open up to friends and let them know what is happening
>Record evidence if possible
anjana@khaleejtimes.com


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