The investigation was triggered after a videotape was released in Houston, Texas, in April by Bassam Nabulsi, a U.S. citizen and a former business partner of al Nahyan. The videotape shows the Sheikh torturing an Afghan grain dealer, who Nabulsi’s attorney claims cannot be located, per CNN.
The detention comes in light of the delayed ratification of a civil nuclear deal between the United Arab Emirates and the United States.
Here's a sample of Twitter reaction:
tomsp (Abu Dhabi, UAE) Parallel between torture Sheikh Issa, who will not prosecuted, and CIA torturers, who will also not be prosecuted... 27 Apr 2009 from TwitterFox
Maysaloon (Undisclosed) Sheikh Issa bin Zayed al Nahyan...google the video and see the animals who rule the Arab world in action. 30 Apr 2009 from web
LatinBeauti (Undisclosed) UAE Torture | Photos of Sheikh Issa ...- http://tinyurl.com/cck48f 30 Apr 2009 from web
varunh (Chennai, India) Sheikh Issa's #torture tape complicates US deal with #Emirates: http://ow.ly/4M6u #dubai #uae 02 May 2009 from HootSuite
afurth (New York, USA) US firms helping Abu Dhabi censor footage of Sheikh Issa's tortures? http://tinyurl.com/cdcd9s 03 May 2009 from web
tolstoyscat (New Jersey, USA) #Torture tape of Gulf prince in 25 other attacks: Video proof against Abu Dhabi royal Sheikh Issa http://is.gd/wj62 (Changed RT @Milfuegos) 03 May 2009 from web
velvethammer (USA) “Torture Tape” Sadist UAE Royal Sheikh Issa Allegedly Involved in 25 Additional Tortures (video inc.) http://tr.im/kmE3 H/T igeldard 03 May 2009 from web
wmchan (Undisclosed) Video of UAE torture prince assaulting 25 others -- who's censoring this news in the UAE?: Sheikh Issa bin Zay.. http://tinyurl.com/cqchso 03 May 2009 from twitterfeed
slnazareth (Undisclosed) Horrible! UAE sheikh Issa torture an Afghan Business man in Abu Dhabi www AB... http://tinyurl.com/czwjpd 04 May 2009 from web
Abetterme09 (Houston, Texas) 15 Member of UAE royal family accused of torturing at least 25: Sheikh Issa bin Zayed al-Nahyan is about to .. http://tinyurl.com/d5mdke 04 May 2009 from twitterfeed
