Close X
Friday, November 15, 2024
ADVT 
International

Terror Charges Downgraded Against Canadian Man Detained In UAE

The Canadian Press, 21 Mar, 2016 12:57 PM
    TORONTO — Terrorism charges against a Canadian imprisoned in the United Arab Emirates for more than a year have been dropped, marking what his family called a major development in the man's case.
     
    But Salim Alaradi's legal battle is far from over, as a state prosecutor announced at a court hearing Monday that the Libyan-born man had been charged instead with two lesser offences.
     
    "What happened today is clear evidence that my father is innocent," Alaradi's 18-year-old daughter Marwa told The Canadian Press. "The closer we get to his innocence the more the U.A.E. State Security plays games with his freedom."
     
    Alaradi, who immigrated to Canada in 1998 from the U.A.E. but returned there in 2007 to run a home appliance business, was on vacation with his family in Dubai when he was arrested in August 2014.
     
    He was among 10 men of Libyan origin detained around the same time — some of them have since been released.  
     
    When his trial got underway in January, the 48-year-old pleaded not guilty to the terrorism charges which related to funding, supporting and co-operating with terrorist organizations.
     
    His Canadian lawyer said the dropping of the terror-related charges was a significant development.
     
    "It was a real dramatic turn," said Paul Champ. "It seems that state security is trying to salvage this situation and save face when they know they really don't have anything against these men."
     
    The lesser charges Alaradi now faces allege he provided supplies to groups in a foreign country without permission of the U.A.E. government and collected donations without permission of the U.A.E. government, Champ said.
     
     
    "The most serious outcomes that we were most concerned about are off the table, whether it was life imprisonment or even the death penalty," Champ explained. "We're hoping that these might be viewed as relatively minor charges."
     
    Alaradi has always admitted he helped raise funds and secure supplies for the new transitional council in Libya after the ouster of longtime Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi in 2011, Champ noted.
     
    "That was fully supported by the U.A.E. government and all western governments at the time," he said. "Since there has been increased unrest in Libya starting in 2012, Mr. Alaradi has nothing to do whatsoever with the political situation there."
     
    The U.A.E. was part of the NATO-led coalition that ousted Gadhafi and has taken a keen interest in the country's future since.
     
    Alaradi's case has drawn growing international attention since he and his co-accused went on trial.
     
    UN human rights experts last month demanded the U.A.E immediately release him and his fellow detainees.
     
    The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention also examined the men's cases and cited advocates for the detainees alleging that the men had been deprived of sleep for up to 20 days, beaten on the hands and legs and suffered "electric shocks with an electric chair.''
     
    The scrutiny seems to be having an impact, Champ said.
     
    "I think the contrast between the human rights violations that are occurring against these men and the reputation that the U.A.E. likes to project to the world is really what's on display here," he said. "Hopefully we're going to see a fair process the rest of the way here and Mr. Alaradi will be acquitted."
     
    Alaradi will be back in court on April 11.

    MORE International ARTICLES

    Egyptian Writer Fatima Naoot Jailed For 'Insulting Islam'

    Egyptian Writer Fatima Naoot Jailed For 'Insulting Islam'
    An Egyptian court has sentenced secular writer Fatima Naoot to three years in prison and a fine of $2,550 after being found guilty of insulting Islam, daily Al-Ahram reported.

    Egyptian Writer Fatima Naoot Jailed For 'Insulting Islam'

    Fighting in Iowa, Hillary Clinton fears repeat of 2008 loss

    Fighting in Iowa, Hillary Clinton fears repeat of 2008 loss
    Chants of "Feel the Bern" filled the spirited hall from a crowd roughly equivalent to a quarter of the town's population. "If we have the kind of turnout that I hope we can," Sanders told the rally, "then we're going to win here in Iowa."

    Fighting in Iowa, Hillary Clinton fears repeat of 2008 loss

    Trump refuses to debate; calls Fox's moderator 'lightweight'

    MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa — Republican front-runner Donald Trump on Tuesday bowed out of the final Republican presidential debate before the leadoff Iowa caucuses, saying Fox News moderator Megyn Kelly is "a lightweight."

    Trump refuses to debate; calls Fox's moderator 'lightweight'

    Hot Yoga Guru Bikram Choudhury To Pay $6.5 MIllion In Punitive Damages

    69-year-old Choudhury, Kolkata-born founder of Bikram Yoga - a form of hot yoga - testified that he is "almost bankrupt".

    Hot Yoga Guru Bikram Choudhury To Pay $6.5 MIllion In Punitive Damages

    Disney World Sued For Replacing American Workers With Indians

    Disney World Sued For Replacing American Workers With Indians
    The lawsuits were filed in a Tampa Florida federal court by Leo Perrero and Dena Moore, who were among 250 Disney tech workers laid off from their jobs at Walt Disney World in Orlando in January 2015, according to Orlando Sentinel.

    Disney World Sued For Replacing American Workers With Indians

    Danish Lawmakers OK Seizing Valuables Worth More Than $1,500 From Migrants

    Danish Lawmakers OK Seizing Valuables  Worth More Than $1,500 From Migrants
    Danish lawmakers voted Tuesday to let police seize valuables worth more than $1,500 from asylum-seekers to help cover their housing and food costs while their cases are being processed.

    Danish Lawmakers OK Seizing Valuables Worth More Than $1,500 From Migrants