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"The relentless energy of the campaigners at Detained in Dubai continues to amaze as they take on one case of alleged abuse and miscarriage of justice after another. The organisation’s attention is now also engaged in countering the misuse of the Interpol notice system, including allegedly by banks such as HSBC Bank Middle East. Radha Stirling, the group’s chief executive, seems fairly blasé about the risks involved challenging powerful state bodies. “When you deal with clients whose lives are in crisis, often devastating situations; wrongly jailed, lost jobs, income, reputation, and with their families in a state of traumatic upheaval, you tend to focus on the risks and dangers they are dealing with rather than any risks involved with helping them,” she says." #Interpol #InterpolAbuse #InterpolRedNotice #RadhaStirling IPEX - Interpol & Extradition Reform & Defence Experts. Full article available at The Times

American woman's life has been torn apart by Qatar's abuse of the Interpol Red Notice system, raising serious human rights concerns. New Jersey international relations professional Nancy Samir never imagined that accepting an incredible offer to work for the Qatar Foundation would have ended as it did. 50 year old Nancy wound up hopeless, broke, stranded and separated from her children and parents and with the trauma ultimately resulting in her father’s death. Nancy was on her way to attend a job interview in the UAE that she thought would help her get her life back on track and even allow her to pay off her loan. Little did she know that it would be the start of one of the most traumatic experiences of her life. The mother of two grew up in New Jersey and pursued a graduate degree at a prestigious private university. She held many impressive positions in New York & Washington DC with a number of different international foundations & diplomatic missions. From a young age, Nancy travelled often around the world visiting different orphanages and refugee camps and was an active humanitarian and published many articles about the empowerment of women and youth. Listen to Nancy in an emotional episode of the Gulf in Justice Podcast with Radha Stirling: Deciding to develop her skills further, Nancy accepted a senior research position at one of the universities in Doha under the Qatar Foundation umbrella. In her exciting new role, Nancy worked directly with a former US Ambassador and advisor to Presidents Nixon and Reagan. Having settled into life in Doha and with her new employment, she was aggressively pursued by Qatar National Bank (QNB) and agreed to take out a loan to buy a car. The bank asked her to sign a ‘security cheque for the total amount of the loan. The justification for this bizarre practice is to prevent customers from defrauding the bank. If they default on a payment or flee the country, the bank will present the cheque. If it bounces, a criminal charge will be made. Nancy was very concerned but the bank employee assured her that it was standard practice in the Middle East and she had a steady job. Stirling: ‘Unprecedented aggression by Qatar banks against debtors, Interpol abuse is alarming Back at the office though, Nancy’s boss was writing on topics that were critical of the Muslim Brotherhood which was sensitive to the government of Qatar and so the decision was made by the management of that university to make both Nancy and her boss redundant, by explaining that the center where they both worked was going to be closed and that their possitions no longer existed as a result of the restructuring. Nancy was devastated considering that her employment contract listed an indefinite term of employment. Upon losing her secure employment unexpectedly, Nancy fire sold the car, losing much of its value. This left her with a bank debt, no car and no job. In no time at all, QNB presented the cheque which naturally bounced. They phoned her, pressuring her, telling her to turn herself into the police or prove that she had already secured another job. Nancy had managed to find a short term 6 month contract and appease the bank. Upon presenting the bank with proof of that new Kafeel or employment sponsor, they dropped the case but had her sign a new cheque. Nancy kept up her payments and was given leave to visit her family in the US. During her holiday, her new company notified her that the contract was not going to be renewed citing that Nancy was overqualified for the position. Nancy called and emailed QNB reassuring them that she would seek a new job in Qatar but she was told by the bank or collections agent, “No no no, if you come to Qatar, you’re going to be arrested at the airport because we’ve already filed a case against you in the prosecutor's office and there is a warrant for your arrest”. They began to harass her regularly and even threatened by email that they would issue an Interpol red notice in her name. Nancy didn’t take them seriously because her friends who worked at Qatari banks reassured her that there was no risk, “You owe around $50,000, why would any bank issue an Interpol red notice for that?” Nancy continued seeking alternative employment. Her luck seemed to change when she managed to land an interview with a government agency in Abu Dhabi. “I was so excited”, recalls Nancy, “in my mind I said, now I can make enough to pay back my loan.” On arrival though, Nancy was immediately arrested. “I was locked in an interrogation room for some time, handcuffed, then taken in a white car to CID, to the Interpol office. Most of the Emiratis that I dealt with were very compassionate and nice to me, but because of Qatar’s Interpol red notice against me, I had to be processed like a criminal. Walking outside of the airport in handcuffs was the most humiliating time of my life. When I arrived at the next holding room at a CID building, they told me there would be no extradition because there are currently no diplomatic relations between the two countries, but that I had to wait for a while to see what the Ministry of Interior was going to do with me. It was the scariest moment, not knowing what was going to happen next. ​Expats shocked Qatar & UAE banks are getting away with using INTERPOL as debt collector “They didn’t keep me in jail, they told me to go home and come back in the morning but they kept my US passport. I stayed in the UAE for about three weeks. I was losing my mind, I was suicidal. I went to the US Embassy, they wouldn’t help me. They wouldn’t even let me into the Embassy or allow me to speak to anyone. They just offered to provide me with a list of lawyers, reminding me that they didn't recommend any of them and they would not provide any financial or other support’. “I found myself in a situation where I didn’t know what was going to happen. I was starting to lose it, big time and then my father, when he heard what happened, had a stroke. My father’s condition started to deteriorate in 2017, he then contracted covid and sadly, passed away June of 2020”. “What I endured, after losing my job through no fault of my own and then being treated like a criminal, or even worse than criminals because I think some criminals don’t get the same treatment was a direct result of the inhumane way that QNB treats their customers. “When I was in Qatar, I attended so many human rights meetings. I actually believed Qatar stood for human rights, but when I tried to contact those same human rights organizations to ask them to advocate for me they ignored me completely. “Qatar reminds me of the Eagles song, “Hotel California”. In the beginning you think that you are in heaven but sooner than later you find yourself in the deepest pits of Hell”. “I managed to survive divorce, death of loved ones, disability and being a single mom, but what QNB put me through sucked the life out of me, and broke me. I believe that the post-traumatic stress that I have faced as a result of this experience has changed my outlook on life. I will never be the same.” A British national, John Nicholas was also wrongfully listed on Qatar's Interpol Red Notice database by Qatar National Bank for a small bank loan which Mr Nicholas had almost entirely discharged by the time he left Qatar. QNB added atrocious charges to try to escalate the claiming amount beyond Interpol's minimum 15,000 Euro threshold for a Red Notice. “QNB and other Qatar based banks have been repeat abusers of Interpol’s Red Notice database,” said Radha Stirling, an expert witness, leading voice in the fight against ‘Interpol Abuse’ and founder of IPEX (Interpol & Extradition) Reform. “It’s absurd that Qatar has been permitted by Interpol to use their database as a means to collect bank and credit card debts from foreign nationals. Banks have pressured Qatari law enforcement to report even small debtors to Interpol, with a view to having them detained abroad and pressured to discharge credit cards and loans. This is clearly against INTERPOL’s charter and a violation of their membership agreement but Interpol would rather accept the donations from Middle Eastern countries and remain silent, than to punish them for abusing Interpol’s power and reputation. “Alan Stevenson was detained in Prague on a frivolous notice and David Blackhouse was pulled from his car in Britain as though he were an international fugitive. Radha Stirling: Alan Stevenson catalyst for Interpol reform and human rights compliance “Interpol has become a pay to play organisation, open to manipulation and abuse by countries with poor human rights records. Countries like the UAE, Saudi, Qatar, Bahrain, Iran, Turkey, Russia, Egypt and China have been able to use the crime tool for their own personal vendettas. Brit arrested in Spain over Qatar Interpol warrant “Countries like Qatar and the UAE, have used Interpol’s reach to extend their jurisdiction beyond their borders, causing the arrest, detention and prosecution abroad of many innocent victims. Innocent individuals have been listed on Interpol, arrested, detained and tried for “crimes'' that don’t even meet Interpol’s minimum reporting criteria. Journalists, activists, businessmen and credit card debtors have been locked up in Western nations at the mere request of countries who repeatedly take advantage of their membership with Interpol. Dubai banks’ use of Interpol to extradite debtors from outside the country. “We have managed to remove numerous Qatar issued arrest warrants for violating Interpol’s charter and it’s certainly time that Interpol themselves were legally held to account. “Nancy has suffered greatly as a result of the wrongful red notice. It is time US policy makers review Interpol’s sovereign immunity and promote the accountability of such powerful organisations. Nancy’s name will be removed from Interpol’s database but she will not be compensated, she will not get an apology, and this will happen again and again until powerful countries recognise the damage a frivolous notice can cause”. Further media and related resources: Radha Stirling - Inspiring Leader 2021 Magazine Feature Home | IPEX Reform

Afghanistan soldier with PTSD jailed in Abu Dhabi, reveals hellish prison conditions A 44 year old PTSD sufferer and Afghanistan veteran (Army & Navy) has been detained in Dubai over a bank debt he was working to repay. The war survivor accepted a UAE government contract in 2012 following his role in Afghanistan. He relocated, settled in and like any new expat will experience, he was aggressively hounded by local bank ADCB, he decided to accept a loan to buy a property there. The father of three and grandfather, Shannon Johnston, originally from West Virginia before moving to Alabama, was unexpectedly diagnosed with a neurological issue that caused him to urgently need to return to the US for specialist medical care. This left him in default and the bank immediately, as is standard, presented the security cheque provided by him when taking out the loan. “It is standard practice in the UAE for banks to request a blank cheque as security against a loan”, said Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai and Due Process International, who has been dealing with these cases for almost a decade and a half. “In the event of any default, the bank will present the cheque and if it bounces, it becomes a criminal offence, regardless of the circumstances”. Shannon was not aware of this. Following extensive medical treatment, Shannon had to return quickly to work. He had tried to appease the bank, letting them know his situation and that he was getting a new job and would resume payments shortly. He accepted a new role with Lockheed Martin, a defense corporation in Huntsville which required him to travel overseas. “Last year, dad was sent to the Philippines as part of his job. We thought we’d see him again quickly and had no idea what was about to happen”, Shannon’s 22 year old daughter Jasmyn recalled. “There was no heads up. We didn’t know this was possible”. His flight to the Philippines had an unfortunate transit stop in Dubai. Shannon was taken from the plane with all of his belongings, unaware that he was about to end up in a Middle Eastern jail, notorious for human rights abuses. He was handcuffed and shackled and transferred to Dubai prison where he was told he was facing criminal charges over a bank loan he had taken in good faith. After surviving extreme and deadly situations abroad, living with PTSD and undergoing medical treatment, he was broken to learn that as he was getting his life back together, it was all going horribly wrong. War hero Andy Neal jailed in Abu Dhabi finally returns home after being EXONERATED of drugs charges Dubai arranged for him to be transferred to Abu Dhabi Central Jail, a prison that has seen numerous foreigners complain of the horrendous conditions, including British veteran Andy Neal who was detained unfairly for over a year. Artur Ligeska, a Polish national wrote a whole book about the kind of abuse and torture he suffered in the same facility. Ms Stirling, who has helped many Abu Dubai detainees described the prison as “inhumane, overcrowded and seriously risky to detainees who face violence and human rights violations within the system”. Jasmyn said “the judicial system is completely inadequate. It’s in shambles. They haven’t given him enough food. He has no hygiene products. His shampoo and glasses were taken by prison guards. He’s stuck in very poor, overcrowded conditions infested with insects and rodents. It’s disgusting. He can hardly ever use the phone and when he does, he has to pay for it. He hasn’t been allowed any daylight or exercise and he has no bedding or sleeping items. He is locked in a cell at night and not given any water. This is a desert prison and they don’t even give them water overnight. He’s suffered dehydration on a regular basis. He’s had no access to his medication and has been given no medical treatment. The list goes on. “The US Embassy has done nothing either. This is a veteran who has served his country and he is just discarded like nothing over a bank debt? I can’t fathom how the US government can turn its back on him. He’s a Chistian and he’s not allowed to practice his religion, he has nothing to keep his mental wellbeing which is important to him after his past trauma. Americans detained in Dubai - A by-product of UAE lobbying? “There was a fight in the prison and the people involved were handcuffed to the cell bars, with their hands above their head and their feet pushed into the bars so that they could not stand”. Stirling added “it is completely unacceptable that the UAE, a supposed ally of the United States, is locking up American citizens over such trivial and frivolous matters that would be considered civil issues in the States. They are then being subjected to outrageous and demoralising treatment. Christian, Shannon’s 19 year old son, has expressed his anger at America’s lack of diplomatic support for his father. “We are being told by the US government that they cannot intervene in a foreign legal system but now we have learned this is not true. They will not even do welfare checks on my dad and this is an insult. We are going to be contacting everyone who can help, Senators, Congress people & the US State Department, making sure we don’t just accept this kind of treatment. It’s not right”. Ms Stirling confirmed “We are not asking the US to intervene in a legal system, but we are certainly asking them to diplomatically intervene in a situation of injustice where a military man has been unfairly detained over a bank debt. The US government has intervened in the past with American David Oliver, Peter Clark, Danielle Jeffries and others and managed to get them free. American lecturer is being 'held hostage' in Dubai | Daily Mail Online “The UAE has on many occasions deceived the public into believing they have no instated working bankruptcy laws, that they have removed prison sentences for bounced cheques and that they will take the circumstances surrounding the cheques into account. None of this is true. Since our inception in 2008, bank debts, credit card debts, utility bills and bounced cheques have been the cause of thousands of detentions. Some people never make it out of prison and if they do, a corresponding civil case will put them right back in jail. If they are outside of the country, they will likely be reported as an Interpol Red Notice fugitive alongside drug lords and murderers, despite this breaking Interpol’s own rules. “The UAE has invested significant money into legal and illegal lobbying into Washington DC and into the private sector, as well as major marketing endeavours that cover up the significant but regular human rights violations. The UAE Expo has just begun with the goal of attracting even more investors, skilled labourers or shall we call them, future victims? The European Parliament this month boycotted the expo based on human rights concerns and the treatment of women but what is the United States going to do? The truth about leaving a debt behind in Dubai. “We will certainly be raising this case and others in DC and in English Parliament, as well as filing policy recommendations to the US with these regular occurrences in mind. If the UAE is going to make a substantial effort to attract foreigners and foreign business, they must start treating foreigners fairly.” Shannon’s family are committed to bringing him home and raising this case within military and government circles but if their efforts fall on deaf ears, Shannon will never be able to leave the UAE, even if released from prison. In the UAE, debtors are not allowed to leave the country but are not allowed to work either, leaving them in an endless cycle which often leads to homelessness as in the case of US national, David Oliver.

The man’s voice was shaking on the telephone, “I’ve just been held at the airport, they say it is on an Interpol Red Notice from the UAE, I haven’t even lived there since 2008!” The woman on the other end of the line replied assuringly, in a tone equally professional and compassionate; even as she scrolled through dozens of emails on her laptop; each with a nightmarish story, an emergency, or a desperate plea for help. So begins a typical morning for the founder and CEO of Detained in Dubai, Radha Stirling. For over a dozen years, foreign nationals embroiled in legal dramas with the United Arab Emirates have found comfort in her calming, authoritative voice. She promises them solutions, and delivers. Stirling has been involved in some of the UAE’s highest profile cases, including bringing media attention to the escape and capture of Princess Latifa, the daughter of the Ruler of Dubai. But, she says, most of her work is done out of the spotlight. “At least 60-70% of our cases involve financial and business disputes between Emiratis and foreign citizens who have been cheated, extorted, or wrongfully prosecuted for fraud, when local partners exploit UAE laws and a biased justice system to their advantage,” she explains. The depth and breadth of her experience has made Radha Stirling the go-to legal and human rights expert on the UAE and broader Gulf region for major news outlets, such as the BBC, CNN, Sky News, and print media. She is a regular speaker and consultant with policy think tanks like the Heritage Foundation, and her work requires almost constant liaising with government officials around the world. “I remember the appalling case of Canadian Andre Gauthier, who had been wrongfully accused and charged with a massive scam in the UAE which he himself had actually exposed. The real scamster tried to scapegoat Andre, and he spent over a year in prison. But we consulted with the Canadian government day and night, advising their diplomatic strategy for securing Andre’s release until finally the UAE dropped the charges on all counts and let him go home.” - Quebec geologist back home after being detained in Dubai | CTV News Last year, Stirling expanded her work with the founding of Due Process International, which allows her to accept cases outside the Gulf, addressing legal failings throughout the Middle East, Asia, and beyond. “Foreign nationals often do not know what they are getting into when they go abroad,” she explains, “This is particularly true for investors and business people. They typically examine a very narrow set of criteria before deciding to set up stakes in another country – the ease of investing, the procedures for obtaining visas, rules on ownership – but they seldom review the overall human rights situation, the impartiality of the judiciary, and the actual experiences of other foreigners who have landed in legal trouble there. Just as with tourists, business people can easily find themselves under arrest in the UAE, and many other countries where the legal system has not kept pace with business development; even if they have scrupulously followed the law.” Calls like the panicked one she received in the morning, come in all day long. “The Gulf countries, the UAE and Qatar particularly, are habitual abusers of the Interpol system, having Red Notices issued as a form of harassment and even blackmail to force foreign investors and business people to pay off fabricated debts and exorbitant settlements,” Stirling cautions, “Our organisation has a 100% success rate in getting these abusive Notices removed. Being listed on Interpol is disastrous for anyone, being treated like a fugitive when you have done nothing wrong, but it can be especially devastating for a business owner with an international clientele or supply chain.” - Home | IPEX Reform Not only has Stirling been successful in the removal of her clients’ wrongful Red Notices, she has become the leading advocate for reform of the entire Interpol system, advising policy officials and legal activists on how the international policing organisation can improve. “After years of supplying expert testimony in UAE extradition cases in the UK, detailing the corrupt, frequently brutal criminal justice system; the High Court of England finally has taken the position that Britain will not extradite people to the Emirates, due to human rights concerns. Nevertheless, people will still get detained and questioned in the UK over an Interpol Red Notice requested by the UAE,” Radha says, “In 2019, an Australian footballer, Hakeem Al Araibi, who is a refugee from Bahrain was arrested in Thailand over a Red Notice from Bahrain – the country he fled for political persecution. After considerable campaigning and communication with authorities, he was released; but it never should have happened. It is against Interpol’s own rules; but Interpol does not screen Red Notice requests before listing people. It can take months for Interpol to grant removal requests over Notices that never should have been issued. Even when a country routinely requests wrongful listings, Interpol does not revoke or suspend their right to request Red Notices. There need to be measures inside the organisation to check abuse of the system. Otherwise, countries like the UAE will continue to use Interpol as an instrument to expand their own de facto jurisdiction overseas” That kind of overreach is something Radha Stirling has cautioned against for years. In one of her most talked-about cases, British national Laleh Shahravesh was arrested in the UAE over a Facebook post she wrote while in England. “The UAE’s Cybercrime laws are so vague and broad that literally anyone, anywhere, who says something online, can be charged in Dubai with a cybercrime if someone in the Emirates doesn’t like what they said. If they have never been to the UAE, it doesn’t matter. They could potentially be tried in absentia, and even reported to Interpol – all without knowing any of this has happened, just like Laleh.” "She is able to do what ambassadors, foreign secretaries, and diplomats cannot" - Outlook Initiative After more than 13 years and over 15,000 clients, dealing with every imaginable type of case – from being jailed in Dubai over a selfie at the wrong time and place, to business disputes worth hundreds of millions of pounds, from foreign nationals forced to sign false confessions to family members being detained over a relative’s bounced cheque; there is no other organisation with the expertise or track record of Detained in Dubai, and no one with the experience, insight, and skill of Radha Stirling in dealing with seemingly hopeless cases. More than once, a wrongfully accused foreign national has been released from UAE custody just because a tweet or news article mentioned that Detained in Dubai had taken the case; Dubai’s Ruler has even intervened to overrule court decisions on behalf of Stirling’s clients. If someone is facing legal problems in the UAE, the Gulf, or indeed, with the creation of Due Process International, in any foreign jurisdiction anywhere, they should have Radha Stirling on speed-dial. She is able to do what ambassadors, foreign secretaries, and diplomats cannot; and when you hear her calm voice promising you over the phone --as the police are pulling you aside -- that everything is going to be OK; you can be certain that it will be. There are thousands of people who have been in the same predicament who can attest to that. Related resources and Media: Read the Daily Mail's report on Detained in Dubai Join Detained in Dubai on YouTube See Detained in Dubai Testimonials Follow Radha Stirling on Linkedin Follow Radha Stirling on Instagram

A British woman on holiday in Spain with her friend was arrested after Qatar issued a red notice against her, alleging a cheap plane ticket was bought in her name with a stolen credit card several years ago. The woman must now undergo legal proceedings in Spain to defend herself against an extradition request if it is forthcoming. This comes after Steven Williams’ arrest in Spain over a Qatar National Bank issued Interpol Red Notice over a debt he didn’t owe. Last year, Scot Conor Howard was detained in Greece after a frivolous notice was issued against him for carrying a store bought herb grinder while transiting through Doha from Australia. Conor spent nearly a month in prison with his distraught family expecting the worst, that he would be extradited to a Middle Eastern prison. - Greece bails Scotsman Conor Howard in Qatar extradition Interpol & Extradition expert witness, Radha Stirling, has noticed a sharp increase in Qatar issued red notices. “Since Qatar’s commitment to financially invest in Interpol, it is clear they feel entitled to use Interpol as their personal debt collectors and harassment agents in a ‘pay to play’ agreement with the agency.” British national and former police officer David Blackhouse was pulled over on the side of a road in Cornwall and dragged into custody. Stirling commented, “this case is absolutely appalling. British authorities should know better than to arrest first and ask questions later. The UK is well aware of the gulf nations tendency to abuse Interpol’s database. Mr Blackhouse should never have been treated this way and Interpol must be held to account. We are currently preparing a class action for victims of Interpol Abuse, which will include Conor Howard”. After thirteen years of specialising in defending extradition requests and fighting against ‘Interpol Abuse’, Stirling founded organisation IPEX (Interpol and Extradition) Reform, a comprehensive initiative to address the widespread and multilayered problems with the current framework of the extradition process, including the many flaws in Interpol itself as an organisation. - The King of Interpol Abuse “Interpol is complicit in numerous and serious human rights abuses and will soon be held to account. Interpol has become a pay to play organisation, open to manipulation and abuse by countries with poor human rights records. Countries like the UAE, Saudi, Qatar, Bahrain, Iran, Turkey, Russia, Egypt and China have been able to use the crime tool for their own personal vendettas. Countries like the Emirates have used Interpol’s reach to extend their jurisdiction beyond their borders, causing the arrest, detention and prosecution abroad of many innocent victims. Innocent individuals have been listed on Interpol, arrested, detained and tried for ‘crimes’ that don’t even meet Interpol’s minimum reporting criteria. Journalists, activists, businessmen and credit card debtors have been locked up in Western nations at the mere request of countries who repeatedly take advantage of their membership with Interpol.” Related media and resources: Home | IPEX Reform Interpol & Extradition Reform, Expert Witness, Interpol Removal, Crisis Management INTERPOL RED NOTICE REMOVAL Interpol Red Notice Removal, Extradition Defence, Expert Witness and Litigation support

John Nicholas was wrongfully listed on Qatar's Interpol Red Notice database by Qatar National Bank for a small bank loan which Mr Nicholas had almost entirely discharged by the time he left Qatar. QNB added atrocious charges to try to escalate the claiming amount beyond Interpol's minimum 15,000 Euro threshold for a Red Notice. Mr Nicholas was the victim of Interpol Abuse and is joining Stirling's other clients in a class action against Interpol. - Related Press Release from July 3, 2021 here Over the past three years, Qatar has significantly increased its use of Interpol’s database, leading to the temporary arrests of a number of foreign nationals in countries like Britain, Greece and Turkey. “It’s absurd that Qatar has been permitted by Interpol to use their database as a means to collect bank and credit card debts from foreign nationals”, said expert witness Radha Stirling, CEO of IPEX (Interpol and Extradition) Reform (Interpol and Extradition) Reform. Banks have pressured Qatari law enforcement to report even small debtors to Interpol, with a view to having them detained abroad and pressured to discharge credit cards and loans. This is clearly against INTERPOL’s charter and is a violation of their membership agreement but, as usual, Interpol would rather accept the donations from Middle Eastern countries and remain silent, than to punish them for abusing Interpol’s power and reputation. - An Emirati’s potential appointment as Interpol head draws criticism “These people are not being arrested because EU countries respect Qatar. They are being arrested because Qatar is routing their request through a reputable organisation, but that organisation is losing respect fast. “Conor Howard was recently arrested in Greece over an herb grinder. It was a joke and he was finally released after a worldwide campaign. Alan Stevenson was arrested in Czech where local authorities called it “an abuse of his rights”. British national, Steve Williams, was detained in Mallorca over a Qatar bank debt that had been trebled. - Stevenson detention ‘an abuse of his rights’ “We are pleased that we have today received word that a British national’s name has been deleted from Interpol’s database, but it should never have been there in the first place. It was another frivolous notice issued by a bank, portraying that the victim was some kind of seasoned criminal. Interpol allowed themselves a significant amount of time to review his case before finally removing it but there is no apology, no punishment for Qatar and no compensation for the victim. “The pattern of abuse and the history of corruption within Interpol should be sufficient for the elimination of their sovereign immunity. They are not acting on behalf of governments. They are acting on behalf of their financial donors, banks and influential private corporations and individuals. They have no right to claim diplomatic immunity”. “Interpol is complicit in numerous and serious human rights abuses and will soon be held to account. Interpol has become a pay to play organisation, open to manipulation and abuse by countries with poor human rights records. Countries like the UAE, Saudi, Qatar, Bahrain, Iran, Turkey, Russia, Egypt and China have been able to use the crime tool for their own personal vendettas. Countries like the Emirates have used Interpol’s reach to extend their jurisdiction beyond their borders, causing the arrest, detention and prosecution abroad of many innocent victims. Innocent individuals have been listed on Interpol, arrested, detained and tried for “crimes” that don’t even meet Interpol’s minimum reporting criteria. Journalists, activists, businessmen and credit card debtors have been locked up in Western nations at the mere request of countries who repeatedly take advantage of their membership with Interpol.” - Radha Stirling ipexreform.com / www.radhastirling.com

Two US citizens and one Emirati have been charged with acting and conspiring to act as agents of the UAE between April 2016 and April 2018, without registering as lobbyists for a foreign government. One American, Thomas Joseph Barrack, is also charged with making false statements to investigators and obstruction of justice. Barrack was an advisor to then-presidential candidate Donald Trump, raising questions about the UAE’s influence over his administration’s policy towards the oil-rich Gulf nation. The larger issue, according to regional expert and CEO of Due Process International and Detained in Dubai, Radha Stirling, is the UAE’s influence in Washington overall. Stirling, who works on behalf of foreign nationals abused by the legal system in the United Arab Emirates, has documented endemic human rights violations and judicial malpractice in the country, and says the UAE continues to enjoy immunity for its actions. “Obviously, disclosure is important, both legally and ethically,” Stirling commented on the case, “But I am not particularly comfortable with the influence the UAE wields in Washington either way. There are at least 20 different firms registered as foreign agents working for the UAE, being paid tens of millions of dollars. UAE lobbyists have dealt with hundreds of congressional offices in the past 5 years, they coordinate with think tanks, fund institutes, and work with every major media outlet. All of that is disclosed, legal, and obviously impacts US policy in favour of the UAE. What we learn from this case is what we should already know: the UAE is relentless in trying to control Western policy in the Gulf, and will stop at nothing to obscure their own abuses, human rights violations and the despotic behaviour of the rulers.” - The King of Interpol Abuse Stirling suggests that the case against Barrack, Matthew Grimes, and UAE national Rashid Sultan Rashid Al Malik Alshahhi is more concerned with ensuring that Emirati influence is reported, rather than monitored or checked. “Had Barrack and the others officially registered, their influence would have been the same, and no one would bat an eye. The indictment is over procedural formalities, not the matter of influence itself – which is the far more concerning issue. It is the Biden Administration, after all, that ultimately approved a $23 billion weapons sale to the UAE in April, was that decision made without pressure from the Emirates?” Just one of the dozens of registered lobbyists for the UAE in Washington, Hagir Elawad & Associates, contacted 98 Senate offices and 132 Members of the House in one year alone, Stirling said, “Of course these lobbying efforts are ongoing, regardless of which administration is in power, and it preserves the UAE’s immunity from scrutiny or accountability year after year. - USA Today says FBI helped Dubai capture princess “We have recently learned that the Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, was allegedly assisted by the FBI in tracking down and capturing his fleeing daughter, Princess Latifa, in a violent raid on the American-flagged vessel Nostromo in 2018. This attack resulted in the abduction of an American citizen, who was detained, tortured, and threatened with death in custody; and there have been no consequences for the UAE over this gross breach of international law. We often characterise the Emirates’ lobbying efforts as merely image management; trying to present a positive picture of the UAE in the West; but what they are actually lobbying for is power and impunity, and they are getting it.” Whether registered under the Foreign Agents Registration Act or not, Stirling explained, the UAE’s influence in Washington is dangerous, “The Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qassimi, was arrested in Minnesota in 2005 for sexually assaulting a hotel maid; but somehow the case went away. The same ruler is suspected of routinely breaking the Iran sanctions, but has never been seriously investigated, despite extensive documentation being presented to Congress. Sheikh Mohammed of Dubai carried out not one, not two, but seven abductions outside the UAE. The Emirates has allegedly engaged in illegal surveillance and hacking of Western nationals around the world; and this does not even cover the grave abuses committed against Americans and other Westerners inside the UAE. UK citizen, Lee Bradley Brown, for instance, was killed in Dubai police custody, and Emirati authorities have never cooperated with the investigation into his cause of death. By any objective standard, the UAE is a rogue state. There are British Members of Parliament who have called for sanctions against the Emirates, yet their agents and lobbyists continue to sway American and European policy. While, of course, registration of foreign agents is a serious legal issue, frankly it pales in comparison to the damaging impact of the UAE’s influence, in and of itself, on US policy in the Gulf. Related resources and media: - Official | Nostromo Attack Resource (Nostromo Legal Actions Resource Centre For Media) - Americans detained in Dubai - A by-product of UAE lobbying? (Why does Dubai jail tourists? UAE lobbying has suppressed criminality for over a decade and it is US citizens who pay.) - Due Process International (NGO focussed on, lawful due process and fair trials, human rights and the accountability of criminals, corporations, law enforcement organisations and governments.)

Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qassimi, the ruler of Ras Al Khaimah will be raised amongst policy influencers in DC. “The United States needs to retract Interpol's sovereign immunity to end Interpol’s abuse of innocent victims of a system in need of serious reform,” said Radha Stirling, Interpol and extradition expert witness and founder of Due Process International and IPEX Reform. Sheikh Saud is single handedly responsible for countless foreign nationals being arrested at borders, locked up, defamed, separated from their families or held in countries incapable of understanding the complexity or extent of Interpol abuse. - The King of Interpol Abuse American national Oussama El Omari, the former CEO of the RAK Free Trade Zone Authority, was targeted by the regime and placed on Interpol’s red notice database for his perceived loyalty to Saud’s rival brother. After Omari’s return to the US and subsequent legal actions, he was harassed, defamed and targeted by an Israeli intelligence firm. “Saud acts with impunity, claiming diplomatic immunity for his rogue actions”, said Radha Stirling, who acts for a number of Ras Al Khaimah victims. “Omari has issued proceedings against Interpol in New York for damages caused by the frivolous and vindictive red notice. It is time Interpol were made accountable for acting as the facilitator of abuse and the US courts should not allow the body to claim sovereign immunity.” - NY Court orders damages for man targeted by UAE Sheikh & his US agents because he “knew too much” Saud was directly responsible for the lengthy and wrongful detention of Gela Mikadze in Georgia where the RAK ruler hoped he would be pressured enough to sign a confession. Swiss national Dr Khater Massaad, the former head of RAKIA and RAK Ceramics, was responsible for putting the tiny emirate on the map. Massaad became a target for Saud when the insecure ruler felt he may sympathise with his rival brother who had been locked up in a villa, much like Princess Latifa. Massaad was Saud’s closest advisor and held the ruler’s secrets. Known as the “wild west of the emirates”, RAK had been exposed in the United States for Iran sanction violations, weapons dealing and money laundering. The ruler himself had been arrested in the US for sexual assault, accused of human trafficking, detaining and torturing foreign nationals. Massaad was reported to Interpol, not just once, but FIVE times. “Never has it been more obvious that Saud uses Interpol as his personal vendettas database than in the reporting of Khater Massaad”, added Stirling. “Sheikh Mohammed reported Cptn. Hervé Jaubert to Interpol for ‘kidnapping’ Princess Latifa in a personal vendetta after her 2018 escape attempt with the former secret service agent, but Sheikh Saud is single handedly responsible for more personally motivated Interpol notices than any other individual ruler we’ve seen. He hands out legal rulings in the courts like his own personal business cards, showing just how corrupt the emirate is. Interpol is supposed to be an independent body though, one that should not be open to abuse by its members. When Saud uses his corrupt judgments to list people on Interpol, he transfers culpability to them. Interpol is fully aware of their own susceptibility to misuse by member states, but they are more focussed on financial contributions than on the individual rights of victims of their reporting. - Human Rights Abuses & Corruption threaten RAK Fitch Rating “It is certainly time Sheikh Saud is held to account. The list of human rights abuses, wrongful detentions, forced confessions, hacking and even torture is extensive. We have conducted a five year long investigation, the results of which are shocking. “We are working with Dr Massaad and other insiders to expose these abuses in a series to be released in July”. Related resources: - UAE “asks” Bangladesh to freeze assets of RAKIA CEO Khater Massaad - Detained in Dubai talks to Times of Israel on shady Israeli intel - The Case of Oussama El Omari - NY Court orders damages for man targeted by UAE Sheikh [Podcast at Gulf in Justice]

Over the past three years, Qatar has significantly increased its use of Interpol’s database, leading to the temporary arrests of a number of foreign nationals in countries like Britain, Greece and Turkey. “It’s absurd that Qatar has been permitted by Interpol to use their database as a means to collect bank and credit card debts from foreign nationals”, said expert witness Radha Stirling, CEO of IPEX (Interpol and Extradition) Reform (Interpol and Extradition) Reform. Banks have pressured Qatari law enforcement to report even small debtors to Interpol, with a view to having them detained abroad and pressured to discharge credit cards and loans. This is clearly against INTERPOL’s charter and is a violation of their membership agreement but, as usual, Interpol would rather accept the donations from Middle Eastern countries and remain silent, than to punish them for abusing Interpol’s power and reputation. - An Emirati’s potential appointment as Interpol head draws criticism “These people are not being arrested because EU countries respect Qatar. They are being arrested because Qatar is routing their request through a reputable organisation, but that organisation is losing respect fast. “Conor Howard was recently arrested in Greece over an herb grinder. It was a joke and he was finally released after a worldwide campaign. Alan Stevenson was arrested in Czech where local authorities called it “an abuse of his rights”. British national, Steve Williams, was detained in Mallorca over a Qatar bank debt that had been trebled. - Stevenson detention ‘an abuse of his rights’ “We are pleased that we have today received word that a British national’s name has been deleted from Interpol’s database, but it should never have been there in the first place. It was another frivolous notice issued by a bank, portraying that the victim was some kind of seasoned criminal. Interpol allowed themselves a significant amount of time to review his case before finally removing it but there is no apology, no punishment for Qatar and no compensation for the victim. “The pattern of abuse and the history of corruption within Interpol should be sufficient for the elimination of their sovereign immunity. They are not acting on behalf of governments. They are acting on behalf of their financial donors, banks and influential private corporations and individuals. They have no right to claim diplomatic immunity”.

Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qassimi, the ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, is to be the subject of discussion at the Washington DC based Interpol Abuse policy group next month. The group is influential in US policy legislation and Interpol protocol reform. “The working group meets quarterly to collaborate on endeavours to end Interpol’s abuse of innocent victims of a system in need of serious reform,” said Radha Stirling, Interpol and extradition expert witness and founder of Due Process International and IPEX Reform. Sheikh Saud is single handedly responsible for countless foreign nationals being arrested at borders, locked up, defamed, separated from their families or held in countries incapable of understanding the complexity or extent of Interpol abuse. - The King of Interpol Abuse American national Oussama El Omari, the former CEO of the RAK Free Trade Zone Authority, was targeted by the regime and placed on Interpol’s red notice database for his perceived loyalty to Saud’s rival brother. After Omari’s return to the US and subsequent legal actions, he was harassed, defamed and targeted by an Israeli intelligence firm. “Saud acts with impunity, claiming diplomatic immunity for his rogue actions”, said Radha Stirling, who acts for a number of Ras Al Khaimah victims. “Omari has issued proceedings against Interpol in New York for damages caused by the frivolous and vindictive red notice. It is time Interpol were made accountable for acting as the facilitator of abuse and the US courts should not allow the body to claim sovereign immunity.” - NY Court orders damages for man targeted by UAE Sheikh & his US agents because he “knew too much” Saud was directly responsible for the lengthy and wrongful detention of Gela Mikadze in Georgia where the RAK ruler hoped he would be pressured enough to sign a confession. Swiss national Dr Khater Massaad, the former head of RAKIA and RAK Ceramics, was responsible for putting the tiny emirate on the map. Massaad became a target for Saud when the insecure ruler felt he may sympathise with his rival brother who had been locked up in a villa, much like Princess Latifa. Massaad was Saud’s closest advisor and held the ruler’s secrets. Known as the “wild west of the emirates”, RAK had been exposed in the United States for Iran sanction violations, weapons dealing and money laundering. The ruler himself had been arrested in the US for sexual assault, accused of human trafficking, detaining and torturing foreign nationals. Massaad was reported to Interpol, not just once, but FIVE times. “Never has it been more obvious that Saud uses Interpol as his personal vendettas database than in the reporting of Khater Massaad”, added Stirling. “Sheikh Mohammed reported Cptn. Hervé Jaubert to Interpol for ‘kidnapping’ Princess Latifa in a personal vendetta after her 2018 escape attempt with the former secret service agent, but Sheikh Saud is single handedly responsible for more personally motivated Interpol notices than any other individual ruler we’ve seen. He hands out legal rulings in the courts like his own personal business cards, showing just how corrupt the emirate is. Interpol is supposed to be an independent body though, one that should not be open to abuse by its members. When Saud uses his corrupt judgments to list people on Interpol, he transfers culpability to them. Interpol is fully aware of their own susceptibility to misuse by member states, but they are more focussed on financial contributions than on the individual rights of victims of their reporting. - Human Rights Abuses & Corruption threaten RAK Fitch Rating “It is certainly time Sheikh Saud is held to account. The list of human rights abuses, wrongful detentions, forced confessions, hacking and even torture is extensive. We have conducted a five year long investigation, the results of which are shocking. “We are working with Dr Massaad and other insiders to expose these abuses in a series to be released in July”. Related resources: - UAE “asks” Bangladesh to freeze assets of RAKIA CEO Khater Massaad - Detained in Dubai talks to Times of Israel on shady Israeli intel - The Case of Oussama El Omari - NY Court orders damages for man targeted by UAE Sheikh [Podcast at Gulf in Justice]

INTERPOL - ‘Urgent reform needed to prevent human rights abuses’, leading expert says “The international crime information sharing agency is in need of a sharp and urgent shake up”, said Radha Stirling, an Interpol and Extradition Expert who founded IPEX Reform. “Interpol’s apparent immunity from legal accountability has left them an unregulated, yet very powerful organisation that has the ability to have individuals arrested in most of the world. “The organisation accepts Interpol Red Notices, arrest warrants, from local ‘National Crime Bureaus’ in member countries like Saudi, Qatar and the UAE. They accept the notices with minimal checks, simply trusting that the issuing country is playing fairly. But Interpol knows they are not. They know this by the number of Interpol notices that are contested and later removed. “It is shocking that INTERPOL will issue a red notice instantly, send it across the world and demand the arrest of a ‘wanted person’, but when the notice is challenged, they give themselves up to NINE months to consider its removal. Occasionally, they will suspend a notice in the interim but mostly, they will keep it active during the nine months. - An Emirati’s potential appointment as Interpol head draws criticism “We are not talking about human traffickers, drug cartels and serious crime that risks people’s lives. We are talking about people accused of breach of trust, bank debt, bounced cheques and white collar crimes. There is no reason to keep a red notice active during the consideration time in these cases. If they must though, then they absolutely need to limit their consideration time to thirty days. Nine months is an unacceptable duration for an innocent person to be listed on the database. Victims of Interpol Abuse need compensation. “Hervé Jaubert was stuck in the UK, kept from his family for almost a year after being listed on Interpol for ‘kidnapping’ Princess Latifa, who voluntarily escaped with him. Others have lost their businesses, their livelihoods and their reputations. Pilots have been grounded, individuals in regulated industries have been unable to work until cleared and businessmen who need to travel, have been unable to do so. “Right now, one of the leading abusers of Interpol, Sheikh Saud al Qasimi ‘the King of Interpol Abuse’ as we call him, has targeted Dr Khater Massaad for political and personal reasons. He’s issued seven notices against him, hoping that one would stick. “In accepting these notices, Interpol places citizens at significant risk of being extradited to a jurisdiction where there is a very strong risk of torture and human rights violations, a jurisdiction that most European countries would never agree to extradite anyone to. “Interpol must take responsibility for putting individuals in life threatening situations. Interpol’s policy is to leave it up to the country where the individual is arrested, to make the decision as to whether it is safe to extradite to the requesting country. This is fine when someone is arrested in a place like the United Kingdom, where there are safeguards to prevent extradition to places like the UAE. But when a red notice is abusive, often the victim is unsuspecting. They haven’t done anything wrong so they are not worried. They continue in their travels and businesses, unwittingly putting themselves at risk of being arrested in a country where human rights are less valuable. Sheikh Saud Al Qasimi, the ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, effectively writes his own Red Notices. He targeted Swiss national, Dr Massaad, American Oussama El Omari and a number of other Europeans. “The RAK ruler has wrongfully detained a number of others, two of whom have opened litigations in the UK for torture. Jihad Quzmar and Karam Al Sadeq are suing RAK’s lawyers, Dechert, in the High Court of England for their role in the pair’s torture. Quzmar and Sadeq are still in custody. - The King of Interpol Abuse - Controversial and abusive Interpol Red Notices ”ruin lives”. “And what if his targets are extradited? What if they are tortured or executed? Interpol must stop wiping their hands of their obligations and responsibilities. They must adhere to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. If the victims were arrested in Europe or America, it wouldn’t be such an issue, but what if they were arrested in a country with a poor human rights record? Interpol needs to consider that they are sometimes the only line of defence for people and that their database could lead to grave violations. Interpol should not automatically discharge their responsibilities to member states. Where someone like Massaad or El Omari is at risk of torture, Interpol must take that into consideration, allow that person to return to their home country and fight extradition proceedings there. They should not request their wholesale arrest. “This also raises the question as to what criteria a country has to meet to become a member? At this time, it’s a pay to play situation. Interpol is more than happy to accept an Interpol Red Notice from a country where a Sheikh can write his own legal judgments. They’re absolutely fine to then impose them on European nationals, and ask they be arrested by other human rights abusing countries that will automatically extradite someone, regardless of the risk to that person. “I will be raising these cases in our Interpol Abuse workshop in Washington DC this July. The US government needs to influence policy change and accountability within Interpol’s organisation. It is insufficient that victims of Interpol Abuse are not financially compensated by the organisation. Financial compensation would encourage better practices by Interpol and its members.” Stirling has been a leading voice against ‘Interpol Abuse’ for thirteen years, has appeared as an expert witness in multiple extradition proceedings and has represented numerous clients in having their red notices removed. Stirling says “enough is enough”. Related articles: - Dubai banks’ use of Interpol to extradite debtors from outside the country.

Former advisor to Ras Al Khaimah ruler, Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, breaks silence. Khater Massaad is the former CEO of RAKIA, RAK Ceramics and various enterprises embarked upon during his tenure and before the ruler’s purge of foreign nationals he felt “knew too much”. In his first interview on the topic, Swiss national Dr Khater Massaad speaks with expert Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai, Due Process International and host of the Gulf in Justice Podcast. The Gulf in Justice Episode can be heard on Spotify, Google Podcasts and other major platforms. Alternatively, please listen directly via the Gulf in Justice Website, or watch the interview on the Detained in Dubai YouTube channel. About Khater Massaad Massaad is arguably the most influential businessman in the recent history of Ras Al Khaimah.” according to Construction Week. The Lebanese born professional pilot and industrial developer, Dr Massaad, graduated from the University of Lausanne in Switzerland with a PhD in Geophysics and an MSc in Mathematics. He is a citizen of both countries. An astute and visionary business leader, “lauded for extracting wealth from the barren rocks of the Ras Al Khaimah mountains, helping transform the emirate into an unlikely manufacturing hub and picking up numerous business awards along the way”. A prized ally and close advisor to the ruler of Ras Al Khaimah (RAK), Sheikh Saud bin Saqr al Qasimi, Massaad was the founder of RAK Ceramics and the driving force behind unprecedented success for the northern Emirate bringing in revenue of more than $1bn from more than 150 countries, securing RAK’s position on the map and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Business Award (MRM Business Award) for industry. RAK Ceramics was awarded the “Best Brand of the Year” by the Middle East Business Leaders Summit, and was rated the number 3 UAE brand, only after Etisilat and Emirates Airlines. Massaad was presented with the Visionary CEO Award at the Middle East Business Leaders Summit and Awards in Dubai in April 2010. Dr Massad’s continued promotion of Ras Al Khaimah guided the destiny of what is now “the topmost ceramic manufacturing organisation in the world, and a jewel in the sector of the whole Middle East, all achieved in 16 years”. In recognition of his efforts in attracting foreign investment to Ras Al Khaimah, Dr Massaad received the "FDI Personality of-the Year” award, noting his “spectacular transformation of Ras Al Khaimah into a thriving business and investment destination in the region”. Previous winners included the Mexican President Vincente Fox, Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and Brazilian President Luis Inácio Lula d Silva. This Award is in recognition to Dr. Massaad's diligent and successful efforts to attract foreign investment to Ras Al Khaimah thereby contributing greatly to the continued economic growth and development of the emirate and adding to its attraction as an investment location," Courtney Fingar, Editor of Financial Times' niche magazine fDi said. Dr Massaad notoriety in the Emirate led to his appointment as Advisor to the Crown Prince in 2003 and CEO of RAK Investment Authority (RAKIA). Never disappointing, in his first two years, Massaad attracted more than $1bn in industry investments to the Emirate. RAKIA was awarded the “Top Ten Global Free Zones of the Future” and the “Most Attractive” for FDI. Known as the “Golden Boy of the Emirates” for widespread achievements in the region, Dr Massaad’s intense geophysical research and commitment to achievement led him to turn vision into success at every turn. Massaad was the Managing Director of several development companies including RAKEEN development, Al Hamra Real Estate Company and the Al Hamra Fort Hotel. “We have achieved great success in placing Ras Al Khaimah on the global map”, Dr Massaad recalls in an interview with the Seoul Times. Having developed long lasting success in the UAE, Massaad has now turned his attention to his own projects where he applies unparalleled drive, knowledge, innovation and experience to leading international enterprise. “There is no stopping Dr Massaad! He is a force of nature”. But rather than thanking those who helped drive the Emirate to success, Sheikh Saud embarked upon a massive purge when he came into power. This included jailing workers and employees of the former ruler, issuing frivolous Interpol notices, and robbing them of their net worth through a series of abusive and meritless legal proceedings in his own personal courts. Massaad has fought off three baseless Interpol notices, a meritless extradition request and several civil court actions, but the Sheikh continues in his endeavours to seize assets that simply don’t belong to him. Massaad discusses the “wild west of the UAE” in his interview with expert witness, Radha Stirling. Radha Stirling, is founder and CEO of UK / USA based legal and human rights organisation Detained in Dubai, Expert Witness and respected analyst of Middle East Policy. Copyright © Due Process International. Due Process International Limited is a Company registered in the British Virgin Islands under company number 2030378 with its registered offices at Intershore Chambers, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands.