A leaked video of a Dubai Government official thrashing an Indian driver after a minor car accident has led to the arrest and likely prosecution of the official, and unleashed a flurry of heated commentary on social networks.

The one-and-a-half minute video shows the Emirati man, of much shorter stature, hitting the driver of a van with the igal which secures his ghutra (head dress) and punching him in what appears to be retaliation for a prior incident.

The Indian man, driving a Modern Stationery van, lifts his hands to defend himself but does not retaliate. Dubai Police Deputy Commander-in-Chief Major-General Khamis Mattar Al Mazeina said when the video went viral, racking up tens of thousands of views on YouTube, the man was called in to the Murraqabat police station for interrogation. The suspect came to the police station and confessed he beat the driver up after the latter’s van hit his vehicle and the Indian insulted him in the Deira area on Saturday.

Maj-Gen Al Mazeina said the official had expressed regret for his deed and told the police it was the first time he had become so enraged that he beat someone up.

He said legal action would be taken and the police had referred him to the Public Prosecution.

Maj-Gen Al Mazeina also said this personal behaviour did not reflect on all Emiratis and was an exceptional case.

He also issued a general warning that it was illegal to photograph/videograph a person without permission from him/her or the Dubai Public Prosecution. Any person who published photos or videos which affected a person’s reputation risked legal action.

A police source has confirmed that the government employee’s family has lodged a complaint at the Qusais police station against the person who videographed the assault.

The official’s wife said nobody had the right to record a person or distribute the footage without the person’s consent.

The police source said the family had apologised for the man’s behaviour and described him as a quiet and good man. They said this incident was very uncharacteristic of him and he was unaware he was being videographed.

The operations manager at Modern Stationery’s Dubai business office, under the parent company Modest Office, said he could not make any comment as police had told him not to since the case was under “serious investigation”.

He said the victim had not needed any medical attention after the incident and was back at work, though was currently “taking a rest”. He would not give any more details about the driver, but said the company would speak as soon as they were able to.

Meanwhile, social media in the country has come alive with numerous impassioned comments on various social networks including YouTube, Twitter and Facebook.

Most were announcing their pleasure over the action had been taken against the man by the Dubai Police.

Amaro, Aammar456, wrote: “The #UAE driver who attacked the expat driver has been arrested and charged. Don’t think you’re above the law, buddy.”, while Mudassir, @iMudassir commented similarly: “No one’s above the law. Thank you @DubaiPoliceHQ”.

There was also a running discussion on Twitter about the identity of the official and doubts he would be punished, with popular Emirati tweeter Dubai News & Views, @DubaiNameShame, promising “there will be punishment”.

Others highlighted it was disappointing the incident coincided with the holy month of Ramadan.

While some shared similar experiences, including YouTube user SuperBaconbutty who said he was attacked by a “fat man (who) threw pathetic girl punches at (him)”, when he did not move out of a Range Rover’s way fast enough in Sharjah, others voiced the need for balance.

LillMissD5 wrote: “(The video) Title should be “man attacks other man” because you have good people and bad people everywhere in the world. I’ve been living here all my life and have never seen anything like this. The Emirati (sic) name should not be categorised because of this man’s shameful display. I hope they make an example out of him.”

news@khaleejtimes.com