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- DOJ persecutes crypto entrepreneurs for cash & currency domination
Christopher Emms was indicted in the US on allegations he had violated American sanctions (IEEPA) when attending a conference in North Korea, despite being a British citizen and having broken no UK or international laws. His spokesperson and crisis manager, Radha Stirling, criticised the move as an abusive expansion of universal jurisdiction to prosecute cryptocurrency professionals for ulterior motives. Chris was arrested in Saudi after the US activated an Interpol Red Notice against him. His accounts were frozen and he was left to fight extradition from the Middle East. His MP was outraged that the US could impose on Britain’s sovereignty, claiming Brits must abide by local US rules. It was clear to Ms Stirling that the new crypto task force was not about justice, not about crime prevention, but about convictions for profit at any cost. GQ Magazine reported that Nick Carlsen, a former FBI investigator confirmed “it’s pure profit, you have a team of like, 15-20 guys doing this, and they pull in as much money as the labour of maybe 100,000 coal miners and shipping guys and gold traders. I mean, it’s just incomparable value.” The Pyongyang crypto caper: North Korea, crypto heists and the new front line of cybercrime | British GQ When a group of guileless blockchain entrepreneurs found themselves invited to North Korea, it seemed like a weird adventure – until the travellers found themselves wanted by the FBI, accused of helping a rogue state evade international sanctions. Was it really a criminal conspiracy, or just a case of crypto bros gone wrong? Stirling said “The US is attempting, by hook or by crook, to assert global jurisdiction over all issues pertaining to cryptocurrency, regardless of where a transaction or interaction takes place, and regardless of the nationalities of those involved. To this end, American authorities are trying to creatively expand the legal applicability of the IEEPA to non-US persons; and what they have done in Chris’s case through blatant intimidation. Stirling believes Emms’s case is borne of frustration among the US authorities, who have struggled to get results in their assault on crypto’s underbelly. “Biden set up a recent task force just to go after cryptocurrency, and I think they’re looking to secure convictions, freeze and confiscate assets,” Stirling said. The US government is probing to see if it can catch and convict a foreigner under IEEPA. According to Stirling, Emms was unlucky enough to blunder into their reach. “What the GQ investigation confirms is that people are going to prison, being intimidated into plea deals and bullied by the DOJ who are interested only in profiteering from indictments and advancing the US government’s crypto domination plan”. Christopher Emms applauded the GQ investigation: Colonising the Cryptosphere - by Radha Stirling It is entirely possible that the heyday of cryptocurrencies is already over. The era of brilliant young visionaries imagining a world of decentralised finance, in which every person could conjure wealth seemingly out of the ether -- potentially empowering the masses Detained in Dubai: http://www.detainedindubai.org Detained in Doha: https://www.detainedindoha.org Radha Stirling: http://www.radhastirling.com CLAN - Crypto Legal Advocacy Network: https://www.bitclan.org/ Due Process International: http://www.dueprocess.international IPEX - Interpol & Extradition Reform & Defence Experts:} https://www.ipexreform.com/ Podcast: http://www.gulfinjustice.news Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/detainedindubai YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/detainedindubai Live news and updates on Telegram: https://t.me/stirlingnews mail: info@detainedindubai.org / WhatsApp/phone +447309114195
- “My Iraq Prison Hell” - Brian Glendinning talks to Radha Stirling
After two months of prison hell, Brian opens up and he's angry at Qatar's "disgusting" World Cup. Scottish construction engineer, Brian Glendinning was jailed in Iraq over a Qatar National Bank issued Interpol Red Notice for a small debt. After substantial diplomatic, media and strategic efforts of crisis manager Radha Stirling, Brian returned home to Scotland on Saturday. “It brought a tear to my eye as I heard Brian’s worst moment in prison”, said extradition expert Radha Stirling, who hosts the Gulf in Justice Podcast “What Brian has been through is unimaginable. The way the guards mocked him, laughed at him, looted him and harassed his wife. The conditions in Iraqi jails are abysmal with the only positive being that Brian wasn’t tortured himself. He did however, witness the inhumane treatment of other prisoners and the scars of what he saw will remain with him for life. Listen to the interview: “I am privileged to have been able to help this dear family who I have come to know. I’m grateful for their energy and dedication in supporting the campaign to free Brian.” Brian told Ms Stirling that he is still unable to sleep well. Every time he closes his eyes, he sees the prison ceiling fans and hears the pained groans of fellow inmates. Traumatised by his experience, Brian has vowed that he will never set foot in the Middle East again. He said he is sickened by the scenes of celebrations in Qatar as the World Cup continues. “It was Qatar that abuse Interpol’s databases and caused his detention in Iraq. They do this on a regular basis”, confirms Stirling. “We are working with Kenny MacAskill, MP and a number of concerned parliamentary groups to push the British government to safeguard citizens against further abuse. We simply can not have our strong allies and trade partners causing our citizens to be wrongfully detained abroad and at risk of violence or torture. It is unlawful and a violation of international law to report debt to Interpol. There are other civil means for them to recover credit card debts such as through the county court. Brian said, “These countries are so corrupt. All they care about is money and being the wealthiest - Qatar in particular. That country has put me through hell. The fact the World Cup has been allowed to be held there is sickening. I'm refusing to watch it.” Scots dad Brian Glendinning opens up on 'mental torture' of Iraq prison hell - Daily Record Brian Glendinning, 43, was locked up in a Baghdad jail for 70 days after being arrested in Basra International Airport on September 4. Detained in Dubai: http://www.detainedindubai.org Detained in Doha: https://www.detainedindoha.org Radha Stirling: http://www.radhastirling.com CLAN - Crypto Legal Advocacy Network: https://www.bitclan.org/ Due Process International: http://www.dueprocess.international IPEX - Interpol & Extradition Reform & Defence Experts:} https://www.ipexreform.com/ Podcast: http://www.gulfinjustice.news Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/detainedindubai YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/detainedindubai Live news and updates on Telegram: https://t.me/stirlingnews mail: info@detainedindubai.org / WhatsApp/phone +447309114195
- Stirling hails progress in detention of American over Egypt criticism
Urgent diplomatic intervention required. American citizen Sherif Osman, who was arrested in Dubai earlier this month and faces extradition to Egypt over criticisms he posted on social media against the regime of President Abdel-Fatah El-Sisi, cannot be deported on the basis of an Interpol Red Notice, Radha Stirling confirmed today. Stirling is the founder and CEO of Detained in Dubai and IPEX, an organisation dedicated to Interpol and extradition reform, and recently became involved in Osman’s case. The Egyptian-born former army officer is being sought by Egyptian authorities for YouTube videos he posted criticising the regime and advocating peaceful protests during the COP27 meeting in Sharm el-Sheikh. Both the American embassy in the UAE and Osman’s attorney stated that a Red Notice had been issued by Interpol against him at the request of Egypt, and that he had been arrested in Dubai pursuant to that listing. However, shortly after Stirling publicised the case, demonstrating the clear political motivation behind the arrest and extradition request, Interpol distanced itself from the matter. “Following our exposure of the case,” Stirling said,” Interpol announced that Sherif Osman is not subjected to a Red Notice and that any deportation proceedings must be carried out bilaterally between Egypt and the UAE. When I asked if they could confirm whether or not the Red Notice had been deleted, or had never been issued, I did not receive a reply. “It is noteworthy that Interpol contacted me about Sherif’s case within days of our publication; when the normal procedure for checking an individual's status on the Interpol database requires a formal request which takes weeks to process. This would not be the first time an international warrant has been surreptitiously removed once it has been determined to be political in nature; either way, we are happy to confirm that Sherif is not listed on the Interpol database at this point; however, relations between Egypt and the UAE are notably strong, and without intervention by the US government, his deportation remains dangerously likely.” Stirling warns that if Osman is extradited to Egypt his life will be in peril. “Roughly half of all prisoners in Egypt are political prisoners, and hundreds die in custody every year. Torture is routine and police and prison officials are completely unaccountable. Just two years ago American journalist Moustafa Kassem died in an Egyptian prison, and we are gravely concerned that the same will happen to Sherif without immediate and urgent involvement of the American government,” she cautioned. Radha Stirling has been the leading voice calling out Interpol abuse by countries like the UAE, Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey; and has successfully lobbied for the removal of wrongful Red Notice listings for nearly 15 years. Her organisation, IPEX, also provides Interpol prevention services for clients who may be at risk of being subjected to an abusive listing. “A great deal of work still needs to be done, not only to address Interpol’s fairness, efficiency, and lack of transparency, but also with the international protocols governing extradition,” She explained, “Authoritarian countries, whether through manipulation of Interpol, or through bilateral relations, have created a de facto transnational jurisdiction that circumvents accepted standards of due process which puts anyone at risk who travels outside established democratic countries. This, essentially, is what we are seeing in Sheriff Osman’s case, and cases like his are precisely why reforms are needed.” Detained in Dubai: http://www.detainedindubai.org Detained in Doha: https://www.detainedindoha.org Radha Stirling: http://www.radhastirling.com CLAN - Crypto Legal Advocacy Network: https://www.bitclan.org/ Due Process International: http://www.dueprocess.international IPEX - Interpol & Extradition Reform & Defence Experts:} https://www.ipexreform.com/ Podcast: http://www.gulfinjustice.news Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/detainedindubai YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/detainedindubai Live news and updates on Telegram: https://t.me/stirlingnews mail: info@detainedindubai.org / WhatsApp/phone +447309114195
- Egypt issues Red Notice against American for criticising government"
US citizen arrested in Dubai after exercising legal free speech in America American citizen and former army captain, Sherif Osman, has been detained in the UAE and faces extradition to Egypt over social media content he posted from his home in Westfield Massachusetts critical of Egyptian strongman Abdel-Fatah El-Sisi. Osman, 46, who is originally from Egypt, has lived in the United States for 16 years, spending most of this time in Texas where he graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio. He now owns a start-up company in Westfield and recently got engaged to be married. Because his family, including his disabled mother, still live in Egypt, Sherif and his fiancé arranged a trip to Dubai for everyone to meet. Sherif’s mother, however, was turned back from her flight on November 5th by Egyptian authorities and prevented from leaving the country without explanation. On November 6th, Sherif was stopped by a plainclothes detective outside a restaurant in Dubai and abruptly taken into custody. “Sherif has gained a moderate following on social media for his commentary about the political situation in Egypt,” explains Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai and Interpol and Extradition Reform (IPEX), an organization dedicated to combating Interpol abuse by undemocratic regimes globally, “He recently endorsed calls for a peaceful protest to take place on November 11th during the COP27 meeting in Egypt; and this, apparently earned him the wrath of the Egyptian government.” If Osman is extradited to Cairo, Stirling warns, he will almost certainly be subjected to torture and possibly death in detention, “The El-Sisi regime is notorious for its brutality towards political opponents, even the ousted former president died in custody,” she says, “It is absolutely appalling that an American citizen, who simply exercised his Constitutionally guaranteed free speech from his home in the United States, to criticise an authoritarian regime, and to advocate for peaceful protest; can be arrested in a foreign country for that criticism. This is almost a replay of the Saudi killing of Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey, except that Sherif is still alive, and the US has a chance to intervene before it is too late. “The UAE, along with Saudi Arabia, has bankrolled the El-Sisi government since the coup in 2013, and Egypt and the Emirates have had a symbiotic relationship politically and economically ever since. Sherif’s extradition is certain unless the US takes a stand.” There are currently some 60,000 political prisoners held in Egypt, with hundreds dying in custody every year. Inmates report being kept in filthy, overcrowded cells; being denied life-saving medication, and being subjected to torture repeatedly. “Approximately half of all inmates in Egyptian jail cells are political prisoners,” Stirling explains, “Thousands more are being detained without trial. Even without violent abuse by the police, the conditions of the jails are themselves life-threatening, which is not even mentioning the inhumane conditions and systematic torture that exists in UAE prisons. Sherif’s life is in danger in Dubai detention, and if the US allows his extradition, we fear that his fate will be sealed. We cannot forget that the UAE was an alleged accomplice in the murder of Jamal Khashoggi and the disposal of his body in 2018. Now we have another political dissident grabbed from the street in the Middle East for statements he made under the protection of the US Constitution, except in this case, Sherif Osman is an American citizen. Justice for Jamal Khashoggi Washington Post Journalist Having now passed 125 days since the brutal murder of Jamal Khashoggi by a Saudi hit squad in that country’s consulate in Istanbul. “According to Interpol’s own rules, Red Notices cannot be politically-motivated, and extradition for political dissent is prohibited. Egypt and the UAE are once again abusing the Interpol system to expand their jurisdictions, creating a kind of authoritarian axis. The current president of Interpol, Ahmed Nasser Al-Raisi, is himself a former high-ranking Emirati official accused of torture; so, immediate and forceful intervention by the United States government is the only hope Sherif has to regain his freedom. “We are reaching out to the American embassy in the UAE, and will be appealing to Sherif’s Senate and Congressional representatives as well, to urge their involvement in this outrageous case. Both the UAE and Egypt are American allies, and we expect the US government to secure Sherif’s release through urgent diplomatic intervention. There is no legal basis for his detention, and no grounds for his extradition; the Egyptian government does not get to punish Americans just because they don’t like what we say.” British man arrested in Egypt for ‘patting’ guard on back released from custody | Lancashire Telegraph An online petition calling for Tony Camoccio’s release received more than 5,000 signatures. Detained in Dubai: http://www.detainedindubai.org Detained in Doha: https://www.detainedindoha.org Radha Stirling: http://www.radhastirling.com CLAN - Crypto Legal Advocacy Network: https://www.bitclan.org/ Due Process International: http://www.dueprocess.international IPEX - Interpol & Extradition Reform & Defence Experts:} https://www.ipexreform.com/ Podcast: http://www.gulfinjustice.news Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/detainedindubai YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/detainedindubai Live news and updates on Telegram: https://t.me/stirlingnews mail: info@detainedindubai.org / WhatsApp/phone +447309114195
- Brian Glendinning’s emotional reunion with family at Edinburgh Airport
Brian was welcomed home this morning at Edinburgh’s airport in an emotional reunion with his loving family and friends. He was met by his mother, Meta; his wife, Kimberly; daughters Heidi and Lexi; and his brothers John and Lee at Edinburgh after returning to Scotland on a flight from Istanbul. Brian told reporters“I just didn’t think this time was coming anytime soon.” “I’m now back where I belong with my family and my friends. “It’s just the emotions. I didn’t think I was going to be here anytime soon.” He thanked all those who had supported him and worked to get him freed, including Interpol and extradition crisis manager Radha Stirling, and Douglas Chapman, the MP for Dunfermline and West Fife, who was also at the airport to greet him. “If it wasn’t for the support from everybody back home, my family and my friends, Douglas Chapman, Radha Stirling, I would still have been there,” Mr Glendinning said. “To be honest, I think I would have been on my way to Qatar and it wouldn’t have been for the World Cup. “It’s just time to get home and get to the barbers.” Stirling added “This is the moment we have been working towards the past five weeks and we’re incredibly relieved to see him back on UK soil. “Brian is going to take some time to rest and recuperate with his family before telling the world about the horrific experience he was forced to endure at the hands of Qatar, a country who has spent a fortune portraying itself as a tolerant society. “Once Brian has rested, we intend to push for British safeguards and to hold Qatar to account for the repeated abuse of our citizens”. World Cup visitors are urged to download "emergency help app" due to the volatility of Qatar law enforcement: Legal experts launch new App for emergency help at World Cup Due Process Newsroom & Media Centre Detained in Dubai launches new App for emergency help at World Cup iTunes and Google Play. Detained in Dubai: http://www.detainedindubai.org Detained in Doha: https://www.detainedindoha.org Radha Stirling: http://www.radhastirling.com CLAN - Crypto Legal Advocacy Network: https://www.bitclan.org/ Due Process International: http://www.dueprocess.international IPEX - Interpol & Extradition Reform & Defence Experts: https://www.ipexreform.com/ Podcast: http://www.gulfinjustice.news Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/detainedindubai YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/detainedindubai Live news and updates on Telegram: https://t.me/stirlingnews mail: info@detainedindubai.org / WhatsApp/phone +447309114195
- Brian Glendinning flight delayed
Storms in Iraq have prevented Brian Glendinning from returning to Scotland today as scheduled. “I spoke with Brian last night just before he went to the airport. He was excited to be coming and keen to discuss his shocking experience.” He told Stirling, “Hope you're well and happy belated birthday to you I liked the personal note regarding my release on your birthday 🙌 “I just wanted to drop you a short message to thank you so so much for all your support and efforts you put into getting me the result I needed FREEDOM!! “Without you I am certain of it that I would have been going to Qatar and it wasn’t to watch the World Cup that’s for sure. I really look forward to speaking with you when I am home and this nightmare is over with”. Brian was taken to Baghdad’s airport but his flight was cancelled due to ‘weather conditions’. As he cleared today for his impending flight, he was taken by authorities for “questioning” for approximately an hour. “You can imagine what he must have gone through at that moment” Stirling commented. “His family are frustrated and disappointed that he won’t be arriving today and Brian will be exhausted on his return. The flights are problematic for the family in that most of them layover in Qatar or the UAE and Brian does not want to go to a Gulf country in case he is re-arrested. “We will update the media and the public as to the details of his arrival as we know. It is expected to be tomorrow morning. His family, friends and potentially, his MP, Douglas Chapman will be there to meet him”. Detained in Dubai: http://www.detainedindubai.org Detained in Doha: https://www.detainedindoha.org Radha Stirling: http://www.radhastirling.com CLAN - Crypto Legal Advocacy Network: https://www.bitclan.org/ Due Process International: http://www.dueprocess.international IPEX - Interpol & Extradition Reform & Defence Experts:} https://www.ipexreform.com/ Podcast: http://www.gulfinjustice.news Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/detainedindubai YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/detainedindubai Live news and updates on Telegram: https://t.me/stirlingnews mail: info@detainedindubai.org / WhatsApp/phone +447309114195
- Brian Glendinning awaits exit visa from Iraq
Scottish construction engineer Brian Glendinning was released from an Iraqi jail yesterday. He’s currently waiting in a secure Baghdad hotel for his exit visa before booking a flight to Scotland. Due Process International founder Radha Stirling, who represents the Glendinnings said today, “Brian and his family are relieved and elated that he has finally been released. This was the day they’d all been dreaming of and they finally got the call they longed for. However, his detention represents an egregious violation of his human rights, legal and Interpol abuse. He will take some time to recover emotionally, physically and financially and his freedom alone is not enough to compensate for those violations, nor to prevent it happening again”. What went wrong? “Brian took out a loan from Qatar National Bank and had been making regular substantial payments. When he fell behind the bank took it upon themselves to issue an Interpol Red Notice even though this is against Interpol’s charter. Debt is not a crime under Interpol’s remit so Qatar miscategorises such cases as ‘fraud’ to get them listed. Interpol simply hopes and prays that countries like Qatar will respect the rules but they have no checks and balances and rely on member states to be honest. There is no penalty, fine or punishment against countries who regularly abuse the system, even though this is clearly a violation of UN human rights principles.” How often does this happen? “Interpol abuse by authoritarian states is common. Interpol are aware but refuse to sanction countries for their violations and refuse to compensate victims. Middle Eastern banks misuse Interpol as an international debt collection service and in doing so, have caused the unfair and lengthy detentions of numerous customers who have fallen behind in payments. The banks will even artificially inflate the amount to meet Interol’s minimum criteria of 15,000 Euros. A number of British nationals have been detained abroad and subjected to lengthy and costly extradition proceedings. Robert Urwin was held for a year in Ukraine, Alan Stevenson for months in Prague. We’ve seen a young flight attendant circled by Italian special forces in Italy, others held in Mallorca and Tenerife and a British ex policeman pulled from his car in Cornwall. None of these Interpol Red Notices were legitimate and we were able to have them deleted, but only after the damage had been done.” What did it take to get Brian out of jail? “Behind the scenes, an Iraqi lawyer was appointed to represent Brian and to liaise with us and his family, but hiring a lawyer is almost always insufficient to achieve a resolution in these cases. “We worked with Douglas Chapman, MP as soon as we took on the case, who in turn met with Qatar’s Ambassador in London and wrote a number of letters to members of the British government and foreign office. “We brought the case to the international media and the Glendinnings created a GoFundMe to help with mounting legal expenses. Following the media spotlight and public outcry, an anonymous donor offered to help with the QNB debt so we immediately raised our contacts at the bank, negotiated a settlement and pushed the bank to expedite the criminal case release. “We worked with the British Ambassador to Qatar and consular representatives to encourage Qatar to communicate the withdrawal of the extradition request with Iraq, furnishing them with the QNB case cancellation stamped by local police. The lawyer, Tahseen, presented the stamped document to the Judge who in turn contacted Qatar who confirmed they would withdraw their request. “Without this kind of intervention, Brian would easily have been jailed for months [or years] and would likely have been extradited to Qatar where he would have served a two year sentence”. How can this be stopped? “There are several recurring issues here that need to be addressed. Firstly, we are calling on the British government to actively inform citizens who have been listed on Interpol by an authoritarian state for financial crimes. This would give people the opportunity to apply for the Red Notice to be deleted before travelling and would prevent numerous unfair detentions and human rights violations. “Secondly, member states of Interpol could take steps to check at the time of arrest if the matter is in relation to consumer debt. If it is, the subject should be released without processing it as a serious extradition request. “Finally, member states who abuse Interpol’s databases should be sanctioned and victims compensated. This is something we are pursuing through the courts which will hopefully go a long way to preventing future arrests”. When will Brian be home? “We are hoping Brian will be reunited with his family tomorrow or Wednesday, but this is dependent on obtaining his Iraq exit visa and a suitable flight. There is still concern that he remains listed on the Interpol Red Notice system and could potentially be re-arrested at any hub en route to Scotland. We won’t feel entirely out of the woods until he has touched down in the UK. Press Queries We will keep media houses updated and welcome queries via email radha@radhastirling.com or WhatsApp/phone +447309114195. Special Thanks “We are forever grateful to all those who have supported Brian; The public, the media, Douglas Chapman, MP, lawyer Tahseen Alchaabawi, Ambassador Wilks and all those who helped behind the scenes. Detained in Dubai: http://www.detainedindubai.org Detained in Doha: https://www.detainedindoha.org Radha Stirling: http://www.radhastirling.com CLAN - Crypto Legal Advocacy Network: https://www.bitclan.org/ Due Process International: http://www.dueprocess.international IPEX - Interpol & Extradition Reform & Defence Experts:} https://www.ipexreform.com/ Podcast: http://www.gulfinjustice.news Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/detainedindubai YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/detainedindubai Live news and updates on Telegram: https://t.me/stirlingnews mail: info@detainedindubai.org
- Brian Glendinning FREED from Iraq jail
“I am thrilled to announce that British construction engineer Brian Glendinning has been released from Baghdad jail today”, said IPEX Reform founder Radha Stirling. “Brian’s lawyer Tahseen Alchaabawi gave us the good news this morning. It was an emotional moment for his family and I couldn’t be happier for the Glendinnings. “Brian has been collected by embassy staff and taken to a secure hotel where he will stay tonight. His family are arranging flights and hope he could be home as soon as tomorrow night or Wednesday. “Qatar has not confirmed that they have removed the Interpol Red Notice so there is an element of risk that Brian could be re-arrested en route to Scotland. This would be disastrous for Qatar and for Interpol. “I will be taking a full statement from Brian when he returns to Scotland for use in a class action against Interpol for its consistent and repetitive abuse of power. “Iraq was furnished with evidence from Qatar National Bank last week to prove the extradition was over bank debt. Consumer debt does not meet the criteria for extradition, but it was highly likely Iraq would have succumbed to pressure from Qatar and handed him over anyway. “Brian is free due to a combination of lobbying and media efforts, negotiating and settling the debt with QNB and strong diplomatic representations. We are proud to have successfully resolved another case of Interpol abuse. On a personal note, I will now always remember my birthday as the day Brian was freed. This was the best present I could have hoped for”. John Glendinning told Stirling “Brian’s beard has grown. There was only a singly communal shaver in the jail and he wasn’t going to use that. He’s in the hotel. I’ve seen a photo of him with a beer and I’m so happy he's free. It was really emotional for the family. Even our father teared up and he never cries. Kimberly, the children, they can breathe again. Now it’s just hours until they are together.” Stirling added “we are all extremely grateful to all of those who rallied together to support Brian. Hundreds of people donated to his GoFundMe to help with legal bills and attended a demonstration outside Parliament. Douglas Chapman, MP has made every effort to pressure the UK government to use diplomatic channels to free Brian and we thank him and members of the British government and embassy for their assistance.” Media enquiries: Please direct all media enquiries and interview requests to radha@radhastirling.com - Brian will talk to media once he has rested and recovered with his family. Detained in Dubai: http://www.detainedindubai.org Detained in Doha: https://www.detainedindoha.org Radha Stirling: http://www.radhastirling.com CLAN - Crypto Legal Advocacy Network: https://www.bitclan.org/ Due Process International: http://www.dueprocess.international IPEX - Interpol & Extradition Reform & Defence Experts: https://www.ipexreform.com/ Podcast: http://www.gulfinjustice.news Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/detainedindubai YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/detainedindubai Live news and updates on Telegram: https://t.me/stirlingnews mail: info@detainedindubai.org
- British prisoner in Iraq pleads Rishi Sunak for help
After two months in Baghdad jail, British father of three pleads for Rishi Sunak to help get him home. The construction engineer has been held over an Interpol Red Notice issued by Qatar National Bank (QNB). QNB has since issued a clearance note stamped by Qatar authorities but Qatar has not communicated this to Iraqi authorities. “We have done everything we can to sort out this mess”, says Brian Glendinning from a noisy prison cell. “The bank has cleared me and no longer wants me extradited but authorities are not communicating. This has been the most traumatic experience of my entire life. My health is failing and I’m losing my mind. I can’t go on like this. I am begging Rishi Sunak and James Cleverly to just get the countries to communicate. It’s just bureaucracy now but this is my life, my every moment is painful. I’m struggling to survive and I’m worried for my life every moment I'm here. The conditions here are hard. I’m not in a minimum security prison with white collar criminals. This is Iraq and the only reason I took a job here was to provide for my family and repay Qatar bank. “It’s not just hard for me. It’s my whole family, we are in tears every day. Please please help us”, begged Brian in an emotional call. Douglas Chapman, MP met with Qatar’s Ambassador this week who advised he would raise the issue with the Qatari government but Brian’s brother John says “we were told the British government would help push this through to the final stages but now we’ve been told the British government doesn’t get involved, we’ve heard nothing and the silence is deafening. We are only asking for a simple communication to Iraq to tell them to close the case. This would be sufficient for Brian to be released immediately and come home.” Qatari Ambassador receives MP for Brian Glendinning Mr Douglas Chapman, MP for Dumferline and West Fife visited the Qatar Embassy yesterday to hand deliver a letter. He was welcomed by Qatar’s Ambassador, His Excellency Mr. Yousef Ali Al-Khater who Mr Chapman says “was very supportive”. His wife Kimberly said this morning “just seems one thing after another”. Kimberly wakes up every morning hoping today will be the day she gets the good news. “It’s disheartening having to tell Brian every day to just hang in there again. It’s not right. He’s being treated like he is nothing. I just don’t see how our government can welcome and encourage Qatar but not bother to help in a situation like this that is clearly wrong. He’s paid the bank. The bank doesn’t want him in prison anymore. What would it take for Qatar to show they actually care for people?” Radha Stirling, founder of Due Process International has called for the British government to stand up for human rights and end the wrongful detention. “The family are going through hell right now and we are calling on the respective governments to put an end to Brian’s detention. He’s spent 2 months in a Baghdad jail, has paid his debt and nobody seems to care that he’s still languishing there as the world cup approaches? It’s absolutely time for James Cleverly and Rishi Sunak to use their diplomatic channels to push this final stage through and get Brian home. Nobody should be detained and treated like garbage over small bank debts.” No response from Cleverly leaves Glendinning family arranging protest at Scottish parliament this week Detained in Dubai: http://www.detainedindubai.org Detained in Doha: https://www.detainedindoha.org Radha Stirling: http://www.radhastirling.com CLAN - Crypto Legal Advocacy Network - https://www.bitclan.org/ Due Process International: http://www.dueprocess.international IPEX - Interpol & Extradition Reform & Defence Experts - https://www.ipexreform.com/ Podcast: http://www.gulfinjustice.news Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/detainedindubai YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/detainedindubai mail: info@detainedindubai.org
- Iraq awaits diplomatic note from Qatar to release Brian Glendinning
Scottish construction engineer Brian Glendinning has been locked up for two months in egregious conditions in a Baghdad jail after Qatar issued an Interpol Red Notice for bank debt. An Iraqi judge has told lawyers he will release Brian as soon as a diplomatic note is received from Qatar. “We have persuaded Qatar National Bank to withdraw the police case after a third party donor discharged the liability”, explains Interpol & extradition crisis consultant Radha Stirling. “The bank assured us they would delete the Interpol Red Notice and instruct the Qatari authorities to withdraw the extradition request. This is a unique situation though; Brian is not sitting in the comfort of his own home, he is suffering in the most appalling conditions and it’s imperative that Qatar and the United Kingdom push for an urgent resolution. We must remember, this should never have happened in the first place. “Britain’s Ambassador has assured me they will provide consular assistance in this respect and Douglas Chapman, MP has pushed Qatar’s Ambassador again today. “The bank no longer wants Brian in a Qatari jail. They have their money. They’ve successfully misused Interpol as their own personal debt collectors and now all that’s needed is a note to Iraq confirming the same. “With the World Cup looming, we hope Qatar will do the right thing here and end this family’s nightmare,” added Stirling. Brian’s family has been under incredible stress the past week. “We are hoping the end is near but we are well aware this could go on for weeks, months or years”, said John Glendinning, Brian’s brother. “We know there are other people in this situation who have been jailed for over a year and we are beyond worried. It wouldn’t take much for Qatar’s Ministry of Interior to pick up the phone and confirm with QNB that Brian isn’t wanted anymore but will they do that? I don’t know. Kimberly is hanging in there but it’s getting harder and harder and we don’t know if we can trust the bank’s word. We hope we can.” Brian is not the first Briton detained abroad on the request of Qatar National Bank. “The bank waits for people to get arrested then demands funds to release them even though this is a complete violation of Interpol regulations and extradition treaties. Most of the time, the victim will be released since debt is not a crime but the process can be lengthy and costly”, added Stirling. “It’s disappointing that the bank exploited the system and on this occasion, it’s worked for them which will only encourage further abuse. We need more robust provisions in place to protect British citizens in the future. This is why I have worked with MP’s today to put a parliamentary question to the Home Office. “I have suggested our NCA should notify citizens of any Red Notices against them from the Gulf region so they are aware of any issues prior to travel, especially when pertaining to financial crime allegations such as breach of trust or fraud (categories misused to describe debt). This would allow citizens the chance to contest the Notice before travel and prevent future wrongful arrests abroad.” Brian’s predicament is surprisingly commonplace and it’s not the first time the issue has been discussed in Parliament. “Conor Howard, Brian Glendinning, Alan Stevenson, Robert Urwin and Steven Williams are just a handful of cases we have published. All of these cases resulted in the unlawful and lengthy detention of British nationals abroad. None of them should ever have been able to be listed on Interpol and the Interpol warrants were later deleted. Alan’s detention in Prague was ruled a violation of his human rights and Robert spent over a year in prison. It’s outrageous”. Radha Stirling, an expert witness, founded IPEX Reform to address the widespread and multilayered problems with the current framework of the extradition process. “The British government has the opportunity to protect nationals from further abuse simply by notifying them of Interpol warrants from emerging authoritarian nations”. STIRLINGPRESS: Interpol Press information pack: John Nicholas was listed on Interpol by Qatar National Bank: Home | IPEX Reform Interpol & Extradition Reform, Expert Witness, Interpol Removal, Crisis Management, Legislative & Government Advisory Detained in Dubai: http://www.detainedindubai.org Detained in Doha: https://www.detainedindoha.org Radha Stirling: http://www.radhastirling.com CLAN - Crypto Legal Advocacy Network - https://www.bitclan.org/ Due Process International: http://www.dueprocess.international IPEX - Interpol & Extradition Reform & Defence Experts - https://www.ipexreform.com/ Podcast: http://www.gulfinjustice.news Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/detainedindubai YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/detainedindubai mail: info@detainedindubai.org
- Qatari Ambassador receives MP for Brian Glendinning
Mr Douglas Chapman, MP for Dumferline and West Fife visited the Qatar Embassy yesterday to hand deliver a letter. He was welcomed by Qatar’s Ambassador, His Excellency Mr. Yousef Ali Al-Khater who Mr Chapman says “was very supportive”. Mr Chapman raised the case of Brian Glendinning, a British national detained in Iraq over a Qatar National Bank (QNB) Interpol Red Notice. In a letter to the Ambassador, Chapman explained that Glendinning had settled with QNB who agreed to withdraw the police case and extradition request. He advised Ambassador Al-Khater that the conditions in prison for Mr Glendinning were “dreadful” and requested Qatar expedite sending a diplomatic note to Iraq to release him without further complication. Mr Chapman, MP left the Embassy to return to Parliament to deliver a similar letter to the new foreign secretary, James Cleverly, MP. “Brian’s brother John and wife Kimberly were so thankful that Mr Chapman met the Ambassador in person”, reported Radha Stirling, who has been representing the Glendinnings. “We are truly grateful for the efforts Mr Chapman has made. This is exactly what is required in this kind of situation and is what the FCDO and James Cleverly should also be doing. “We are hopeful His Excellency will be able to promptly execute the necessary communication to Iraq so that Brian can finally come home and recover from his terrible ordeal.” Brian Glendinning has struggled for over two months in a rat infested cell where his family feared he would die. His wife Kimberly said “Brian’s the kind of person who never gets emotional, he doesn’t cry or show anything like that. But he’s been breaking down on the phone saying he doesn’t know if he’s going to survive this. He’s living on basically bread, he’s sharing a tiny cell with 40 other men. One of them openly admits to killing his own relative, and there’s Taliban fighters in the same cell, terrorists”. Kimberly and the family are hopeful he will be released soon but understand that nothing is done “until it’s done”. “They try to keep Brian’s spirits up when he calls”, says Stirling. “They are always reminding him that everyone is supporting him on the outside and we’re all waiting to see him on the outside”. Detained in Dubai: http://www.detainedindubai.org Detained in Doha: https://www.detainedindoha.org Radha Stirling: http://www.radhastirling.com CLAN - Crypto Legal Advocacy Network - https://www.bitclan.org/ Due Process International: http://www.dueprocess.international IPEX - Interpol & Extradition Reform & Defence Experts - https://www.ipexreform.com/ Podcast: http://www.gulfinjustice.news Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/detainedindubai YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/detainedindubai mail: info@detainedindubai.org
- Abusive Saudi initiated UAE Interpol Red Notice Deleted by Radha Stirling
Abusive Interpol Red Notice Deleted by Interpol and extradition crisis consultant, Radha Stirling When a Jordanian business owner was wrongfully listed on Interpol by some of the most powerful men in Saudi Arabia, after some 5 years battling to clear his name, he finally turned to Radha Stirling for help. This week, the Red Notice against him was deleted. Stirling is the founder of human rights advocacy group Due Process International and IPEX Reform, an Interpol and extradition reform campaign lobbying for greater transparency and accountability for the international policing organisation. Stirling has become the leading voice against what she terms ‘Interpol abuse’, and has successfully challenged countless wrongful Red Notices over the course of her career. “Our client was hired by Prince Turki bin Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz of Saudi Arabia to build a luxurious oasis two hours outside Riyadh where the prince was going to host a secretive meeting for the so-called ‘Rare 10’ group of billionaires”, Stirling explains, “From the outset my client was forced to deal with numerous middlemen as the prince tried to maintain a distance from the project, which it turns out, was part of an attempt to recruit support for his own bid to contest the throne. Payments were few and far between, and construction was therefore beset with problems. My client paid out of pocket for operating expenses and supplies throughout a considerable portion of the project, only to ultimately be refused reimbursement. To add insult to injury, the prince’s intermediaries accused my client of owing them money and filed a fabricated case against him in the UAE where his company was based. All of this, apparently, was because Prince Turki wanted to disown the project, and wanted to prevent my client from pursuing his rights in Saudi Arabian courts for fear that the ‘Rare 10’ meeting would be exposed. As a result of the UAE case and the subsequent Interpol Red Notice, my client lost his company and had to leave the region where he had spent years building his business and his reputation, and he suffered enormous financial losses. Disgraced Saudi Prince Convened Meeting of Billionaires Prior to His Arrest “Everyone involved in defrauding my client and wrongfully listing him on Interpol are in jail now for corruption in Saudi Arabia, and we are very relieved that his Red Notice nightmare is finally over. However, his case highlights once again the urgent need for Interpol reform; his name should never have been listed in the first place, but Interpol conducts no investigation into Red Notice requests, even when they are coming from countries with a long history of human rights violations, an absence of legal due process, and habitual abuse of the Interpol system. Removing a name from the database is a long, slow process that requires considerable expertise, while adding a name can be done in a keystroke. Authoritarian regimes, like those in the Gulf, are able to use Interpol to essentially assert universal jurisdiction, basically extending their own reach beyond their borders to interfere with foreign citizens. Countries where there is no due process or judicial integrity are able to pursue people abroad and to punish them with Red Notice listings that upend their lives and freedom for years.” Saudi Prince uses Interpol to prevent damaging witness testimony Stirling warns that individuals often do not learn of their listing on Interpol until it is too late, “Countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE frequently convict people in absentia, and report them to Interpol without their knowledge,” she says, “Someone may not know they even have a criminal case against them in these countries until one day they get arrested at an airport.” Her organisation recently launched an Interpol prevention service whereby clients can pre-empt potential Red Notices before they are issued, Stirling explains, “We also provide police checks to discover any possible complaints that may be registered against a client, which are likely to escalate to Interpol if unresolved. It is simply too easy for states to have names listed on Interpol, and it is considerably more difficult to challenge a listing once it has been made; so, if we can intervene before that happens, clients can be spared the destructive impact of an abusive Red Notice.” Home | IPEX Reform Interpol & Extradition Reform, Expert Detained in Dubai: http://www.detainedindubai.org Detained in Doha: https://www.detainedindoha.org Radha Stirling: http://www.radhastirling.com CLAN - Crypto Legal Advocacy Network - https://www.bitclan.org/ Due Process International: http://www.dueprocess.international IPEX - Interpol & Extradition Reform & Defence Experts - https://www.ipexreform.com/ Podcast: http://www.gulfinjustice.news Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/detainedindubai YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/detainedindubai mail: info@detainedindubai.org











