DUBAI, Apr 25 (The National) : An African man has been arrested for allegedly beating his son to death, police said.

The father took the 13-year-old boy to Rashid Hospital after the latter sustained serious injuries, which the suspect claimed were the result of a swimming incident.

Preliminary Dubai Police investigations, however, showed the victim’s body bore signs of physical abuse.

The boy died on Saturday because of complications resulting from internal bleeding, which was not treated immediately.

Dubai’s police chief, Maj Gen Khamis Al Muzeina, said the suspect lived in an apartment in Al Nahda with a number of roommates, who witnessed some of the beatings.

Neighbours confirmed that the victim was beaten on almost a daily basis, Maj Gen Al Muzeina said, adding that the witnesses should have immediately reported the beatings to police.

Meanwhile, Maj Gen Khalil Al Mansouri, the assistant to the Dubai Police chief of Criminal Investigation Affairs, said the boy had researched ways to treat stomach injuries online.

Maj Gen Al Mansouri said a DNA test was being conducted to confirm the suspect was the victim’s father.

Rashid Hospital would not comment on the incident.