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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.

“It was nothing short of shocking to see the UAE hand over British national Christian Michel immediately upon India’s unlawful attack of a US yacht”, said Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai and Due Process International, who represents Sheikha Latifa Al Maktoum and who witnessed one of the most egregious quid pro quo deals unfold before her eyes. “British national Christian Michel was wanted for extradition by Indian authorities, but the UAE held him for a rainy day. When the daughter of the ruler of Dubai, Sheikha Latifa Al Maktoum, embarked on a dramatic escape mission that led her to sail through the international waters of the Indian ocean, the UAE called on India for help. India executed an unlawful and hostile attack on a US flagged yacht in international waters, kidnapped the princess and her friends, violently assaulted them, then delivered them into the custody of the UAE, against international law. The attack occurred while I was on the telephone to Princess Latifa. It was frightening and shocking. "Normalisation with Israel must not lead to greater impunity for the UAE" - Radha Stirling “This was not for nothing. The UAE granted politically important extraditions to India, circumventing lawful due process at the expense of all involved, and now, Mr Michel has complained of human rights violations and torture. This should come as no surprise. If India is willing to violate international treaties and law, to kidnap a young woman who was escaping torture, why would they be expected to abide by other international cooperations, including the preservation of basic human rights. Princess Latifa repeated to them that she would rather die than be returned to Dubai. They took her from outside of their country where they have no jurisdiction and placed her inside another country, without any legal process taking place. This is outrageous and the British government should have more strenuously objected to the extradition of Christian Michel under these circumstances. “Both India and the UAE have shown the world that they are absolutely willing to bend and break laws and exchange favours, even if those favours are directly against their Western allies. India abducted a US national, beat him violently then sent him to a third country. In return, the UAE sent them a British National. These diplomatic deals need to stop and, while the United Nations provides some recourse, the true solution lies with their allies. If Western allies tolerate this belligerence, it will not stop. AgustaWestland scam: Christian Michel detained to return India's favour? “We are seeing an increase in the number of human rights complaints, torture claims and the unacceptable treatment of foreign nationals by our supposed allies, but it is not enough to leave the United Nations as the only remedy for victims. Governments must act now to actively discourage and if needed, sanction friends who ignore these limits. “Lawlessness leads to extraterritorial killings, kidnappings and the expansion of rules and ideologies into our jurisdiction. If left unchecked, belligerence leads to Khashoggi style executions, assault and kidnappings like Sheikh Shamsa Al Maktoum from British soil. “It is no wonder at all then, that rulers are issuing their own legal judgments and seeking to enforce them through international enforcement agreements. It’s no wonder that Interpol is being constantly abused by totalitarian states. We have UAE ruler Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi writing out his own legal judgments in his personal courts, then appealing on a ‘quid pro quo’ basis to other countries, like Bangladesh, to freeze assets that don’t even belong to him. Swiss national Khater Massaad, has fought off three abusive Interpol red notice reports, an extradition request and legal claims through the civil courts. So what does Sheikh Saud do? He tries to use diplomacy and “quid pro quo” deals, to unlawfully seize funds held in other countries. UAE “asks” Bangladesh to freeze assets of RAKIA CEO Khater Massaad “The kind of situation being created by a lack of our own diplomatic intervention, is a lawless alliance of countries doing favours for each other, either for political motivation or financial reasons. If countries can practice law through handshake deals, they can seize assets, kidnap, torture and kill all day long and apparently, there is nobody to stop them. “Our organisation has advised governments to intervene and address the growing issue. We are warning investors and travellers that there is a very real risk posed to them when they entangle themselves in these countries. We are encouraging victims to take legal actions abroad. Investors are best to look elsewhere until they can be assured a genuine legal process or otherwise, the more they succeed, the bigger target they become.” Vendettas by RAK ruler alarm foreign investors Radha Stirling founded Detained in Dubai in 2008 and has since helped and advised more than 15,000 foreign nationals facing trouble in the UAE. Stirling is an expert witness, civil and criminal justice specialist, legislative, investment risk, business and policy advisor to the public and private sectors, speaker and host of the Gulf in Justice Podcast, covering the region in depth.

Handing out Interpol notices like his own personal business cards, Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi is described as “The King of Interpol Abuse”. The ruler of a small northern region of the UAE, called Ras Al Khaimah, Sheikh Saud has had to find other means to bring in money to his oil-dry Emirate. The Sheikh set his sights on foreign investors for development in the manufacturing, trade and tourism sectors, creating a free trade zone and offshore centre to lure in foreigners but, sadly, investment was a one way ticket for many trusting foreigners. Sheikh Saud has been a hands on commercial ruler, personally involved in the “business” of his Emirate and directly involved with the foreign nationals he called upon to build his visions. The darker reality of this well marketed success story though, is that emirate is rife with corruption and foreign investors inevitably become prey. Customs officials have demanded large unlawful payments from businesses and failure to pay means jail, or worse. Families have been threatened if demands have not been met and people have lost their entire lives to a tyrannical rule of law that plagues the emirate. The Sheikh has sought to extend his powers beyond his borders by using diplomatic and manipulative channels to extort funds from foreign nationals, and to exert pressure over them to gain their silence or their cooperation. One of the Sheikh’s favourite tools is international crime organisation Interpol, who are headquartered in France, but who remain unaccountable, holding a kind of diplomatic immunity. The controversial reporting agency shares information between countries, notifying law enforcement that someone is wanted for arrest and extradition. No checks and balances exist and an autonomous ruler, like Sheikh Saud, can have an adversary listed on Interpol in a few minutes. The UAE is one of Interpol’s largest donors and along with Qatar, are using Interpol as an open cheque book, as a method to extort funds from victims in return for the deletion of an unlawful notice. Swiss national and former head of RAKIA, Dr Khater Massaad, helped Sheikh Saud build the Emirate. In fact, he was appointed as his official advisor and helped bring in billions in foreign investment. Now, the ruler sees Massaad as a blank cheque and has issued an unevidenced judgment against him through his personal courts and listed him on Interpol, not once but three times! Sheikh Saud had wanted to prevent Massaad from returning to Switzerland and keep him in Saudi Arabia, where Saud thought he would gain diplomatic cooperation to seize funds. Saudi Arabia threw Sheikh Saud’s case out because of a lack of evidence. Interpol three times deleted cases against Massaad, and Saudi denied the UAE’s extradition request. Sheikh Saud’s demand is simple. He wants money, whether it is owed or not and Massaad fully expects to see several more Interpol notices reported since the UAE is not being sanctioned for abuse. Vendettas by RAK ruler alarm foreign investors “I am not a criminal and I am not a fugitive”, said Dr Khater Massaad in response to the Interpol warrants. “I have managed to remove three notices from Sheikh Saud. I have fought extradition requests and proven my innocence. How can an organisation like Interpol allow repeated notices to be issued by the UAE when they are very clearly being used to harass, intimidate and extort?” US national Oussama El Omari, former CEO of the Ral Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone Authority (RAFTZA) told the Washington Post “Interpol’s ‘red notices’ are being abused. One ruined my life.” NY Court orders damages for man targeted by UAE Sheikh & his US agents because he “knew too much” “Both Mr El Omari and Mr Massaad have had their lives and businesses turned upside down by frivolous Interpol red notices, published by a criminal data sharing agency with a pay to play business ideology”, said Radha Stirling, CEO of Due Process International and IPEX Reform, who is representing the gentlemen. “Sheikh Saud’s unsanctioned autocratic rule, has seen him jail foreign nationals for the purpose of forcing their confession to implicate people like Khater Massaad. Quite shockingly, Sheikh Saud’s ‘evidence’ contained a forced confession by prisoner Karam Al Sadeq, a Jordanian lawyer who has in fact, sued in the English courts for his forced confession and torture. All of this is over money that isn’t even owed to Saud. He has used Interpol against Massaad, against El Omari and against several other investors in the region. One red notice saw a Georgian investment partner locked up for almost a year before he was finally released. Sheikh Saud wants cash and not because it was owed, but because he has the power of jail at his fingertips. Who gives him that power? Interpol. “The UAE, along with China, Russia, Venezuela, Egypt and Turkey, have been widely criticised for their abuse of Interpol’s database as a tool to punish and lock up dissenting voices, journalists, credit card debtors and political rivals but it is widely used by the private sector and greedy Sheikh’s a tool of extortion. Interpol is profitable to these regimes. Even if they donate $15m or $100m, they will be able to get that back through jailing wealthy victims abroad. This is a totally unacceptable situation and we are lobbying leading democratic members to insist upon changes within Interpol. It simply can’t go on like this. The abusive red notices are a flagrant violation of human rights and abusive countries must be denied access to the database”. A group of victims of the despotic Ras Al Khaimah ruler, have come together to warn foreign nationals to stay away from the region, and advise Abu Dhabi to rein in this rogue behaviour that is so badly devastating the UAE. The Gulf Investment Monitor, headed by Stirling, has written to the Swiss Business Council, individuals and investors considering diversifying into the region, “It’s just not worth it. The more successful you are, the more you are made a target 1and leaving the country won’t prevent the onslaught”, she warned. The Interpol’s credibility is once again on the line as a top Emirati cop is vying to become the head of the international police agency.

The Scot is now celebrating after Middle Eastern prosecutors dropped drug charges following a campaign backed by influential lawyer Radha Stirling and Kenny MacAskill MSP (Minister for Justice). Radha Stirling said the upcoming World Cup in the country forced prosecutors to drop charges in what would have been a 'potential PR nightmare for the state'. She said: "Qatar would not have wished for Conor to be arrested again in another country. "Such an arrest would have raised too much media alarm against the country that’s been under a lot of media scrutiny this year. “I am very happy we were able to bring Conor home and privileged to have helped him and his lovely family.” #RadhaStirling #ConorHoward #FreeConor #Qatar #doha #Greece #Interpol #Extradition #Australia #athens Read the full story at The Daily Record Website

Alan’s case is emblematic of what has been happening with ever greater frequency from the Gulf States. Interpol has been hijacked by authoritarian regimes around the world who abuse the Red Notice system to persecute political opponents, dissidents, independent journalists, and private individuals over financial disputes. Countries like Qatar and the UAE lead the world in wrongful Red Notice requests for the purpose of debt collection – something that violates Interpol’s own protocols. Read the full story at detainedindubai.org https://www.radhastirling.com/ Detained In Dubai is contactable on: Email: info@detainedindubai.org Phone: +442070606900 Whatsapp: +447752639948

Gulf in Justice Podcast reveals Israelis keen to do business with the UAE might be jumping in the deep end, risking their reputations and even their lives. UAE expert Radha Stirling, discusses the issue in depth. Detained in Dubai CEO, Radha Stirling, has warned Israelis who explore commercial relations in the UAE, could face untold risks that could see their life savings stolen, their businesses damaged or ruined, and could even see them winding up in one of the country's notorious prisons. Sean Hannity weighs in on celebrity promotion of the nation of contradictions in the new episode of Gulf in Justice. Stirling says “The UAE immediately embarked upon fresh campaigns directed at Israeli investors and businesses, hoping to entice entrepreneurs to expand their activities into the untapped Middle Eastern economy. And the Israeli commerce sector is equally excited for reciprocal trade and commerce, looking forward to openly accepting Arab investors into local activities. “Israeli Banks and financial institutions are excited to work with banks in the Emirates and according to the Senior Vice President of Bank Hapoalim, are already in discussions. But banks in the UAE have a long and sinister history and existing Israeli banks who partner with them may end up sharing in the reputational damage that they attract, as they steal foreign investment, land, jail customers or report them to Interpol. On the other hand, the normalisation of dealings may force UAE banks to rise to international standards of process. “In reality, both scenarios are likely to run contemporaneously, as they struggle to merge ideas and practices. Ultimately, I expect that things will improve, but not without teething issues that will last for years and decades. “Israelis are likely to feel a sense of confidence to deal with banks, especially with a push from their own country. This confidence and hope is likely to overshadow any doubt or fear and like many before them, they will only find out about the threats of investing in the UAE, when it is too late. “I founded Detained in Dubai in 2008 and have seen quite literally, thousands of quite terrifying actions and campaigns against investors and entrepreneurs, who are the most vulnerable people in the UAE. “The Israeli media is only just beginning their investigations into endless abuses against foreigners and few will pay attention to what is seen as negative, in the face of more uplifting events like the UAE-Israel Digital Economy Summit which took place this month. “The devastating effects of covid lockdowns throughout the world has made both countries even more eager to explore and Joseph Dov Kohan of Kramer Electronics said this couldn’t have come at a better time. The issue comes when mutual enthusiasm overshadows due diligence and risk assessment. Individuals and businesses can end up severely damaged, with huge financial losses, and in the UAE quite commonly, mistakes can lead to jail for the officers of the companies. Israelis have simply not experienced this yet but it is inevitable that they will. “Enthusiasm and let’s say, recklessness, is a trait of many successful entrepreneurs, and much innovation around the world. But when it comes to the Middle East, this “go getter” attitude can mean the end of business and innovation, and even complete and utter ruin to the tune of hundreds of millions. And the more successful one is, the more likely they are to be targeted by experienced locals, some of whom have amassed their fortunes by screwing over foreign investors. “The British, the Americans, Australians and Europeans have all been victims of systemic business and investment theft, made possible by a non-independent judiciary that is more of a tool of legal abuse for powerful Emiratis. Put it this way, if gambling on legal outcomes in the UAE were a thing, you can always bet on the local and it’s not because they are wiser or more knowledgeable, but because of the corruption that encapsulates the entire law enforcement apparatus, established to benefit Emiratis, who are actually a minority group in their own country. “Trade advocates are encouraging Israelis to respect Emirati culture to avoid issues. The Brits, though, have been in alliance with the UAE for decades. But the UAE is still the most likely place for British nationals to run into legal trouble abroad. We are not talking about Brits who have committed serious crimes or those who have been offensive, ungracious or disrespectful. We are talking specifically about those Brits, whether tourists, expats or investors, who have been abused by Emiratis. We are talking about rape victims who were jailed for sex outside marriage, about Scott Richards for supporting a charity on facebook, Laleh Shahravesh for calling someone “horse face” from outside of the jurisdiction of the UAE and those who have become indebted to a bank through no fault of their own, criminalised by a system designed to give banks a jail card to hold over struggling foreigners”. Ms Stirling discusses the potential risks to Israelis, issues pertaining to free speech, the UAE’s cybercrime and social media laws, the persecution of minority groups and the serious risk to businessmen and investors. Detained in Dubai is an organisation founded in 2008 by Radha Stirling, leading human rights advocate, crisis manager and policy consultant, focusing on the UAE and the wider Middle East. Stirling is a Criminal & Civil Justice Specialist, Expert Witness, Speaker, Founder of Due Process International, Detained in Dubai, IPEX Reform, Gulf Investment Monitor and the Gulf in Justice Podcast. Veteran Middle East justice expert Radha Stirling launched her podcast Gulf in Justice in August 2020. Stirling has helped more than fifteen thousand clients over her thirteen years with organisation Detained in Dubai, which she founded in 2008. Gulf in Justice discusses up to date topical issues, interviewing a variety of guests and promoting change in the region. Detained in Dubai is an organisation that campaigns against judicial abuse in the UAE and Gulf region on behalf of expats and tourists, its founder and CEO, Radha Stirling, is the leading international commentator on the justice systems in the Gulf, a pioneer advocate for reform of Interpol, and a sought after analyst for Western policy makers. Listen to the Gulf in Justice Podcast on Spotify Or Listen on the Gulf in Justice Website - Will Changes In Harsh Laws Recharge United Arab Emirates As A Business And Tourist Destination?