KEY POINTS:
Two policemen in Dubai have been charged with manslaughter after the death of New Zealand golfer Aaron Nicholas Mahoney, a Dubai paper reports.
The Christchurch 24-year-old died on January 10 when the squad car in which he was being taken to a police station overturned.
The Khaleej Times reported at the time that Mr Mahoney was picked up by police after being found drunk outside the Al Majara Tower, an apartment complex in the Dubai Marina.
The paper quoted a police source as saying he had been misbehaving with staff at the complex. Mr Mahoney was handcuffed after a struggle and put in a vehicle.
The newspaper said he allegedly tried to strangle the driver, Hassan Abbas, and while the other police officer, Mohammed Jassem, tried to restrain him the car flipped, killing the New Zealander.
But yesterday, the Khaleej Times reported: "Dubai public prosecution has charged two policemen with manslaughter in connection with the death."
A police source said the two officers had still to be interrogated after being admitted to hospital in critical condition.
Mr Mahoney was in the United Arab Emirates on the second day of a 10-day course at a golfing academy, as part of his plans for a professional career.
He had won several golf championships, including three regional titles in New Zealand, but had spent most of the past two years in Melbourne.
Emirates Golf Club head coach Peter Cowan has been reported as saying golfers at the academy were upset over Mr Mahoney's death.
He said regardless of what had happened that night no one should have to pay "with the ultimate price of death".
Mr Mahoney's two uncles travelled to Dubai on Monday to collect their nephew's body.
- NZPA
