DUBAI // An inmate at Al Qusais police station will spend six months in prison for setting fire to his detention cell and his clothes, a Dubai court ruled this morning.
ME, 31, an Emirati, attempted suicide and posed danger to lives of policemen and other detainees by starting the fire, the Criminal Court of First Instance ruled. He also damaged public property and must pay for Dh 1,650 in repairs.
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About midnight on October 15, 2010, fire alarms sounded in the station. Officers found heavy smoke coming out of the backup detention cell.
AA, a 28-year-old corporal, testified that the fire was in ME's cell in Ward D. ME was detained in a drug-related case.
He said he used a fire extinguisher to put out the blaze. ME, a smoker, used his lighter to ignite some boxes in his cell, the officer testified.
ME was treated at Rashid Hospital.
AA told prosecutors that when he asked ME about his reasons for the fire, he said he wished to end his life.
"God forgive you, AA, why did you save me?" AA testified he was told.
salamir@thenational.ae
