Briton dies in Dubai police custody

Tourist arrested over ‘row with chambermaid’ at £1,000 a night hotel frequented by celebrities A British tourist has died in police custody in Dubai, the Foreign Office has said. Lee Brown, 39, reportedly suffered severe beatings after being arrested over a row at a luxury hotel in the emirate. The maintenance worker died after six days in custody at the Bur Dubai police station following his arrest on 6 April, according to reports. His family in Dagenham, east London, were told about his alleged ordeal by another prisoner who found his sister’s phone number on a photocopy of Brown’s passport left in a cell, the Daily Mail reported . A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: “We can confirm that Lee Bradley Brown has died whilst in police custody. “We have spoken to his family and are providing them with consular assistance. The embassy is in close contact with Dubai police, who are investigating Lee’s death.” Brown’s family had contacted the British embassy in Dubai with their concerns about his safety but UK officials who visited the police station where he was being held were told he did not want to meet them, according to the founder of a support group for alleged victims of injustice in the United Arab Emirates. Radha Stirling, from London-based Detained In Dubai, said: “They should have been able to see him to make sure he was in a good condition, whether or not he wanted to speak to them. “It does look like he was in a bad condition and the police didn’t want the embassy to see him. It’s quite a failure of process.” She said other people held at Bur Dubai police station had told her it was known for its filthy cells, harsh conditions and attacks on prisoners. Dubai police were not available for comment. Brown was reportedly arrested over an argument with a chambermaid at the Burj Al Arab hotel, where he was said to be staying on a last-minute holiday. The Burj Al Arab, which describes itself as “the world’s most luxurious hotel”, is popular with celebrities and room prices start at over £1,000 a night. Hotel operator Jumeirah Group said in a statement: “We are aware of this issue and understand it is being handled by the relevant authorities. We therefore have no further comment. “For privacy reasons, it is our policy not to disclose any details or information about guests who stay in our hotels.” Dubai police said Brown had no bruises or marks indicating an assault when he died, according to The National newspaper, based in neighbouring Abu Dhabi. An unnamed police official told the paper the British tourist was vomiting from the day before his death but did not complain or ask for medical help. Dubai London Middle East guardian.co.uk

Posted by on April 14, 2011. Filed under News, Politics, World News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.