An Abu Dhabi newspaper has been forced out of print for 20 days after reporting allegations of horse doping at the ruling family’s stables.
In October 2006 the paper, Al-Emarat Al-Youm, printed a front-page story alleging use of steroids on horses at the Abu Dhabi royal family’s Warsan racing stables.
The defamation case originally went to the courts in November 2008 but was appealed by the newspaper, owned by the ruler of Dubai, Sheik Mohammed bin Rashed al-Maktoum.
On Wednesday (1 July) a court in the United Arab Emirates upheld the conviction against the paper and fined the editor Dh 20,000 (£3,336).
The paper cannot appeal the decision.
