Sunithal Beevi’s finances were tight even when her husband had a secure job with the Abu Dhabi Ports company. A native of Muvattupuzha and currently staying in Abu Dhabi, Ms. Beevi, a mother of four, is now working for an income much lesser than what her husband earned a couple of years ago.
A good portion of 3,500 dirhams she earns every month is paid for rent, food and other bills. Besides, a fee of 200 drihams is remitted to the Al Wathba Jail there where her husband Muhammad Ibrahim Puthen Purayil is serving a 10-year jail term on charges of espionage. Ibrahim, who was an assistant administrator with the Mina Zyed Port , was arrested by the local police in March 2014 on charges of leaking information about the movement of military ships in Mina Zyed.
Recently, a UAE court passed his sentence, which also comprised a penalty of 5,00,000 dirhams. It also ordered his deportation after serving the sentence. Ibrahim’s family have approached the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) with a request to intervene in the issue. They accuse a couple of Indian officers in the UAE of playing a key role in his arrest.
The relatives of Abbas Mannarthodi, a Malappuram native, who was arrested for the same offence by the Abu Dhabi police in June 2013, also raised similar charges. “After being taken into custody, he almost remained missing for the next four months. Later, a court sentenced him for five years’ imprisonment on charges of spying,” said Hameed Mannarthodi, elder brother of Abbas.
The relatives of both the Keralites are said to have been invited for a meeting with a Joint Secretary of the MEA on April 13. When contacted by The Hindu , the MEA officials, however, said they had no knowledge of the meeting.
According to Vincent Panikulangara, a senior counsel with the Kerala High Court, there are three more Indians, identified as Muhammad Mukthar of Telangana, Thennarassu of Tamil Nadu and Shihani from Kerala, who are languishing in UAE prisons for the same offence. “We are forming a forum and holding a convention of their family members in Kochi, seeking a CBI inquiry against the Indian officials blamed of laying a trap to jail them. Complaints will be filed with various human rights forums and also with the UAE consulate in Thiruvananthapuram,” he said.
Justice DENIED?
Relatives accuse Indian officers in the UAE of playing a key role in the arrest
Three more Indians, including Shihani from Kerala, were held on the same charge
Forum to demand CBI probe against Indian officials
