ABU DHABI // Three Emirati men serving six-month sentences for theft were yesterday accused in Abu Dhabi Criminal Court of attempting to escape from Al Wathba prison. The men destroyed a security camera monitoring the outer grounds of the prison, prosecutors said. They pleaded not guilty yesterday. The twin brothers TA and KA, 19, and their friend MS, 23, have been in Al Wathba since April 4 and were due to be released in August. MS previously told the court that he was coerced into signing a confession stating that he had stolen mobile phones. He told the court and public prosecution in the first case that he was blindfolded by police and hit on the back.
Prosecutors are charging them with attempting to climb the prison's fence after destroying the camera. Al Wathba prison is a medium to maximum security facility in a remote area about 60 kilometers from Abu Dhabi Island. The fate of the three Emiratis is not known, but according to relatives they have not been allowed family visits since the alleged escape attempt. If found guilty, the men face a maximum of seven years in prison.
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