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  • No response from Cleverly leaves Glendinning family arranging protest at Scottish parliament

    No response from Cleverly leaves Glendinning family arranging protest at Scottish parliament this week Scottish construction engineer Brian Glendinning has been detained in Iraq for almost two months because of a small Qatar National Bank (QNB) debt. Despite Brian repaying the loan and being in contact with the bank, QNB decided they had every right to report him to Interpol. Interpol accepted the Notice, placing ‘trust’ in member states to act responsibly. “Interpol will delete the Notice once I have appealed but the process takes months and does not help Brian in his current predicament. QNB should never have been able to list Brian in the first place but the damage is done”, said Interpol & extradition crisis consultant Radha Stirling, founder of IPEX Reform. “It is appalling that a British citizen has been detained in Iraq and our Scottish MP, Mr Douglas Chapman has received no response to his communications to James Cleverly, our Foreign Minister. Cleverly should be using every diplomatic effort available with Qatari and Iraqi counterparts to end this circus, but he has not even responded to basic communication. It is no wonder that the Glendinnings and supporting Scottish MP’s are encouraging a demonstration in front of Parliament calling for action. They have noted that other Scots detained abroad have received no help either (Conor Howard, Billy Barclay, Jamie Harron)”. Brian’s wife Kimberly has called for Nicola Sturgeon to pressure British diplomats to act. “When Liz Truss was Foreign Secretary, she couldn’t remember the names of British citizens detained abroad who had come to her asking to be saved from torture (Albert Douglas) and it’s important James Clevery, MP understands his role is to support British nationals, including Scots, who are unfairly facing legal or physical abuse abroad. “I have reached out to contacts at the bank and provided them with authorisation to represent Brian. We are preparing correspondence to QNB’s London investment arm who we hope will do everything they can to avoid being publicly hauled through the British justice system and made accountable for the consequences of using Interpol as a debt enforcement agent”. 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

  • “There is no case” says Brian Glendinning’s Iraqi lawyer on Qatar Interpol warrant

    Scottish construction engineer Brian Glendinning’s detention has been extended for another week by the courts. “The punishment is the process”, says extradition crisis consultant Radha Stirling. “Qatar regularly has foreigners detained abroad over bank debts even though they know they will lose an extradition request in court”. Brian’s Iraq based lawyer, Tahseen Alchaabawi, issued a statement saying “The case of the British citizen, Brian, is a civil case, and according to Iraqi law, there is no criminal element. But there is a warning arrest from Interpol against Brian from Qatar and unfortunately, the Qatari authorities are acting with hostility. They are deliberately not sending the case file to the Iraqi court (they do that on purpose )in order for Brian to remain in prison for a long time”. Stirling added “delaying the required documentation is a tactic employed to slow down the decision making process in Iraq. If they sent the file, Iraq would immediately see that it is a civil case and lacks dual criminality. Brian would be freed. Instead, he is being held in horrendous detention conditions at the order of Qatar National Bank”. This is not the first time. A Czech court ruled that the detention of Alan Stevenson was a violation of human rights. Alan, who worked in IT at HSBC from the mid to late 2000s, was held in the country for 4½ months over an alleged credit card debt in Qatar. Radha Stirling said he was a victim of “abuse” of international police agency Interpol's arrest-warrant system over a debt with the Qatar National Bank he insisted he had not incurred. She added that “no evidence was produced or provided to the Czech courts” to back up an extradition request from Qatar. Iraq must be mindful that Qatar is a repeat abuser of the extradition process. Ms Stirling said: “Alan Stevenson's case should be a watershed moment for Interpol reform and human rights compliance. “Alan's case is emblematic of what has been happening with ever greater frequency from the Gulf states. Stevenson detention ‘an abuse of his rights’ - The Royal Gazette “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.” British national Steven Williams was held in Mallorca over a Qatar bank debt. “I’ve been paying the debt so I don’t understand how it’s risen to £92,000 in such a short space of time – they’re adding interest and fees on and it’s just terrifying they can get away with it. Steven even offered to pay a large chunk of money but they rejected it then had him arrested to extort a larger sum than he actually owed”. Stirling commented “The toll on Steven was high. He is afraid to travel and we can only imagine how Brian is going to feel if he is lucky enough to be released. His family is absolutely distraught over his detention and the conditions at the facility. They are worried for his health, his mental health and his life”. Brit may face decades in jail in Qatar after he was arrested on holiday in Spain over debt that's tripled to £92,000 in two years Brian and his family have urged British nationals to stop helping Qatar to promote itself. “The world cup is coming up, don’t promote it. Don’t go there”, Brian warned. The family has called on sportswasher David Beckham to use his influence to help the cause. “How can people support a country that so blatantly violates international principles of human rights?” What is an Interpol Red Notice? Stirling explains. An Interpol Red Notice is an alert sent to member states that notifies them that a particular country has an interest in arrest with a view to extradition. When someone is arrested, a notification is sent to Interpol who shares the information with the requesting state, in this instance Qatar. Qatar will then advise whether they intend to seek extradition. If so, they will be required to send documentation to the arresting country to initiate extradition proceedings. Most modern countries have a limit of 45 days for this to happen. If the documentation is not sent, the individual will be released but the Red Notice will not be deleted at this point and so they could be re-arrested in the future. The Trial. If a case proceeds to a trial, a judge will determine whether there is sufficient evidence of criminality to proceed. If they determine that the request is of a civil nature, the individual should be released. If not, the process will continue to a full trial and both sides will be required to submit arguments. This process can take months to years and bail is unlikely. How are banks able to use Interpol for debt collection? Interpol has no checks and balances to ensure the data they are receiving from a member state falls within their constitution. They rely on the local National Crime Bureau (NCB) to be responsible in their reporting. Unfortunately, this ‘trust’ leads to consistent abuse. Journalists can be reported as terrorists, debtors as fraudsters and so on. Member states are not penalised for misuse and there is no compensation scheme for victims. Extradition ‘Quid Pro Quo’ abuse. The extradition of ‘wanted persons’ has been used for political advancement by allied countries. For example, the UAE extradited a number of high profile ‘fugitives’ to India after India’s cooperation in the abduction of Sheikha Latifa Al Maktoum. It is certainly concerning that Iraq has strong ties to Qatar including commercial and investment incentives. This puts Brian at risk of extrajudicial extradition or lengthy and unfair detention. What can the British government do? The FCDO and foreign diplomats could quite easily pick up the phone to their Qatari counterparts and urge them to withdraw the extradition request and employ standard debt collection practices such as seeking a CCJ. The case is clearly detrimental to Qatar’s reputation while they are promoting the country as a sound and safe place for foreign investment and tourism. We have approached the British Ambassador, John Wilks and asked him to approach his counterparts and Qatar National Bank directly. Douglas Chapman, MP has approached the Qatari Ambassador to Britain and we hope that he takes the unfair detention of a British national seriously. Ultimately, James Cleverly as the new Foreign Secretary needs to step in and show that British nationals matter. It is his job. How long could this go on? Without intervention, Brian could be detained for months if not years. Robert Urwin spent over a year in Ukraine before ultimately being released. This is why it is so important for the British government to apply diplomatic pressure. Robert Urwin returns home from Ukraine over bounced cheque - BBC News If extradited, Brian could spend two years (or more) in a Qatar prison and then held hostage on a travel ban indefinitely. Travelling when you have a UAE or Qatar debt Due Process Newsroom 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

  • Family distraught after call from Baghdad jail: Brian Glendinning

    Family distraught after call from Baghdad jail: Brian Glendinning “He’s not well. He has no energy. I really think he’s given up. The conditions are terrible. We’re trying to get paracetamol for him and a visitation by the Embassy”, Brian’s wife Kimberly tells us. Brian’s family endured a painful call from the Baghdad detention facility where he has been detained for over a month. “It’s disheartening when you hear stories from others who have been jailed for over a year before eventually being exonerated and released. Brian’s in an extreme situation, it’s unimaginable and it could happen to anyone”. John Glendinning has been relentless in his campaigning. “He doesn’t stop”, said Radha Stirling, the extradition crisis consultant who has been helping the family. “John is constantly messaging me asking what more he can do. It’s a desperate situation and they are well aware that they could lose their beloved family member. No family should have to go through this because a bank in the Middle East has decided to exploit their membership with Interpol. “Anyone who takes out a credit card, bank loan or mortgage with a bank in the Middle East is at significant risk of being listed as a fugitive on the Interpol Red Notice database”. Brian’s MP has written to Qatar’s Ambassador to the UK to step in and help. “If the Ambassador picked up the phone and requested the extradition request be withdrawn, Brian would be promptly released”, explains Stirling. “It’s not good for trade, investment, the World Cup or tourism, to be tormenting British nationals like this. It’s time to make these practices a thing of the past”. British engineer’s fight against Qatar extradition ‘a warning to World Cup fans’ | Qatar | The Guardian Douglas Chapman, MP for Dunfermline & West Fife, said: “I’m aware of the case involving Brian which has been raised with me as his MP. We have been in touch with both the family here and the Foreign Office in London and Baghdad. “Through the efforts of Brian’s family, their legal people on the ground in Iraq and with the support of the Foreign Office and Radha Stirling [a campaigner on unjust detentions], we are trying to secure Mr Glendinning’s release and his safe return home to Scotland. “With the World Cup due to start soon in Qatar this is not the time for the event’s hosts to be in the news for all the wrong reasons and I hope, in this case, good sense can prevail.” Family of Scottish dad detained in Qatar turn to David Beckham in desperate plea - Edinburgh Live Consular staff have been informed of Brian’s state and have requested a visitation. However, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly was called on to intervene at a diplomatic level but has so far failed to respond. Stirling added “Other countries like Canada, Malaysia and the US have secured the release of their citizens through diplomacy and Britain needs to do the same. The Interpol Red Notice should never have been published in the first place and Brian should never have been arrested in Iraq. The UK government has the ability to put an end to Brian’s detention right now. The only question is whether they are willing”. 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

  • Brian Glendinning's Children call upon David Beckham to help free their dad

    Children call upon David Beckham to help free their dad from Baghdad jail and save him from Qatar prison. The children of a Scottish man detained in Iraq and facing extradition to Qatar over an unsettled bank loan have called upon David Beckham to support his release. Brian Glendinning of Fife, has been jailed in Baghdad for over 4 weeks after Qatar National Bank charged him with defaulting on a 2016 loan and had his name listed on Interpol. Glendinning was working in Doha at the time, but subsequently lost his job due to illness and had been negotiating with QNB to reschedule instalments. After landing a construction engineering contract in Iraq, Glendinning was finally in a position to resume payments, but instead, Qatar had him arrested at the Baghdad airport, and is seeking his extradition. Interpol expert and founder of Detained in Doha, Radha Stirling, who has taken up Glendinning’s case, explains, “QNB registered a case against Brian without his knowledge, even while he was regularly communicating with them about the loan payments. This, outrageously, is their standard protocol. If anyone falls behind on their installments, QNB files a criminal complaint against them, and they will be convicted in absentia if they are out of the country. The bank immediately has them listed on Interpol as a fugitive, and demands payment for the full amount of the loan – regardless of how many payments have already been made. QNB, the government of Qatar, and Interpol have all put Brian in tremendous danger; he is being held in an Iraqi jail alongside radically anti-Western militants and terrorists; all because he lost his job and fell behind on a bank loan.” Stirling: ‘Unprecedented aggression by Qatar banks against debtors, Interpol abuse is alarming Glendinning’s three children have appealed to David Beckham to support their father’s release, “We are asking everyone and anyone with influence and connections with Qatar to please help save our Dad,” they said in a statement today, “David Beckham is the international face of football, he agreed to a £10 million deal with Qatar to act as an ambassador for the country, and since Doha is hosting the World Cup this year, we just hope he may be able to use his position to convince Qatar to let our father come home.” The conundrum of Western relations with Qatar David Beckham is told he's made a 'big mistake' by taking £10m to be a paid ambassador for Qatar | Daily Mail Online Stirling says extradition from Iraq is almost certain given Qatar’s strong relations with the country, and QNB’s presence in Iraq. “Brian needs public support; he needs the support of influencers and people who can have a real impact on Qatar’s authorities, particularly in the context of the World Cup. Unfortunately, the UK government has compromised their own ability to influence Doha, with tens of billions of pounds flowing into the British economy from Qatar, the FCDO has little leverage. But Qatari officials are cognizant of their country’s image, and want the World Cup to proceed without a glitch. If someone like David Beckham uses his celebrity and influence to advocate for Brian, it could make a huge difference.” 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

  • Scottish man detained in Iraq sentenced to 2 years in Qatar jail ‘likely to be extradited’

    British citizen Brian Glendinning was to start work on a construction engineering contract in Basra last month, when he was abruptly arrested by authorities on the basis of a Red Notice from Qatar. The Scot had worked in Doha in 2016 and was persuaded by aggressive sales reps of Qatar National Bank to take out a £20,000 low-interest loan to help him settle in the country. While on holiday in 2017, Glendinning fell ill, and claimed sick-leave from his job, only to be immediately fired. Despite the fact that he made consistent payments on the debt throughout his time in Qatar, and despite remaining in contact with QNB during his unemployment; the bank filed a criminal complaint against Glendinning for “defaulting” on the loan. He was convicted in absentia to two years in prison, and his name was submitted to Interpol as a fugitive sought for extradition. “Typically, when anyone agrees to take a loan from QNB,” commented Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Doha and IPEX, an NGO dedicated to Interpol reform, “they are required to submit a security cheque for the total amount of the loan. If they fall behind in their payments, the bank will cash that security cheque, which inevitably bounces. The bank then accuses the debtor of fraud, and claims that they are owed the total principal of the loan, regardless of how much it has already been paid down through months of instalments.” Glendinning has been held in police lock-up for 4 weeks, and faces the possibility of extradition any day now. “Our immediate concern is for Brian’s safety; Iraqi prisons are notoriously harsh, horribly overcrowded, unsanitary, and breeding places of disease. The inmates are disproportionately violent militants charged with terrorism, and a Westerner like Brian is in imminent danger,” Stirling explained, “Next, there is the risk of Brian’s extradition to Qatar, where he would face two years in prison where conditions are not significantly better.” Qatar, due to host the FIFA World Cup next month, has considerable influence in Iraq, Stirling said, and extradition is a near certainty unless concerted intervention is made on Glendinning’s behalf. “Unlike other Gulf States, Qatar maintains solid relations with Iran, which is the most influential player in Iraq, and Doha has entered into several trade and investment deals with the government in Baghdad. One of the major banks in Iraq, Al Mansoor Bank, is a subsidiary of QNB. New Interpol Prevention Service to combat Red Notice Abuse Abuse of the Interpol system by countries around the world has been steadily increasing in recent years, with Gulf States leading the trend. Of particular concern are those countries which have positioned themselves as investment destinations for foreign business Due Process Newsroom & Media Centre “Unfortunately, Britain’s influence in Iraq, in Qatar, and the Gulf overall, has dwindled over the past decade, as has the UK’s will to intervene in these countries on behalf of its citizens. Qatar is pumping tens of billions of pounds of investment into the UK, and Qataris pour billions more into British real estate every year. We have seen government support for British expats in the Gulf steadily evaporating as Qatari, Saudi, and Emirati investment flows into the UK. There is no doubt that the FCDO can successfully intervene to secure Brian’s release, but we will need overwhelming public support to make sure that happens.” It is conceivable, Stirling said, that Glendinning could be arriving in Doha at the same time as World Cup football fans, “While thousands of British tourists embark for Qatar to attend the World Cup and stay in 5-star hotels, Brian may be bundled onto a plane in handcuffs and leg shackles, headed to a cramped prison cell. Most of these tourists will be paying for the trip with credit cards; there is even an official World Cup Visa card. Undoubtedly, some of these football fans may fall behind on their payments over the coming months – can anyone imagine being listed on Interpol for that, and sent to prison? Legal experts launch new App for emergency help at World Cup Due Process Newsroom & Media Centre “Doha Bank has issued their own special edition World Cup credit card, tempting applicants with a whole host of incentives and bonuses, the same promotional tactics used to lure people like Brian into taking out bank loans. Anyone who accepts these kinds of offers could easily find themselves in Brian’s position. Even while you are negotiating a payment plan with the bank, they may be having you charged and convicted for defaulting without you ever knowing – just like Brian.” Fundraiser by John Glendinning : Save Brian from Qatar jail!! Brian needs your help! Qatar National Bank has WRONGFULLY reported Brian to Interpol a… John Glendinning needs your support for Save Brian from Qatar jail!! 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

  • Scottish man detained in Iraq over Qatar Interpol warrant. BBC Scotland talks with Radha Stirling

    BBC's Good Morning Scotland discusses Brian Glendinning, a British engineer’s fight against Qatar extradition ‘a warning to World Cup fans’ Brian Glendinning’s case highlights peril for football fans travellinQatary are going through with this shocking arrest. "Scot held in Iraq over unknown Qatari conviction" bbc.co.uk - 10/10/2022 A Scottish construction engineer has been held in police cells in Iraq for a month after being added to an Interpol list over a debt conviction in Qatar. Brian Glendinning, 43, from Kincardine in Fife, did not know he was a wanted fugitive until he was detained in Basra on his way to a new job. His family has called on the UK government to intervene. They also warned football fans going to the World Cup next month to be aware of the risks in traveling to Qatar. In 2017 Mr Glendinning, who is married with three children and one granddaughter, was sentenced in his absence to two years in prison for defaulting on a debt. He had agreed to take out £20,000 loan with his bank in Qatar while working in Doha in 2016, but was not able to keep up full repayments when he lost his job. His family told how he was made redundant in 2017, while on sick leave at home in Scotland, but had kept in touch with the bank not realising he had been convicted of a crime. Speaking to BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme, his brother John Glendinning said: "I believe Brian did what most parents would do then - what money you've got coming in when you're unemployed you try to keep the house warm and feed the kids. "But then in Qatar, I believe that's a crime to them. It's not just defaulting on a bad credit history as we do here in the UK." He said it was devastating to hear his "big brother and best friend" had been detained in Iraq. "He was petrified," his brother said. "He explained that they told him it was Interpol and he was on the red list for a warrant for his arrest from Qatar." He said bank salesmen would target expats in Qatari hotels offering loans with low interest rates. "It looks like they want you to default," he said. "Interest rates are extremely low but when you default they go through this process of doing this to families. "They know that we are desperate. They know I would sell my house. I've already sold my car. "My brother is getting treated like a crime lord. The loan should be paid, of course it should, but this is crazy." 'Is he coming home?' In four weeks the legal bills have already reached £30,000. Mr Glendinning has been moved to a police cell in Baghdad, where he has been allowed to see British Embassy staff twice. He spoke to his wife and mother at the weekend. "Nobody is sleeping, we're constantly thinking about Brian's mindset, constantly thinking is he coming home?" his brother said. He added: "I think it's crazy that we're going to have British citizens in their barrel load heading over to Qatar in the next few weeks for the World Cup and I just want to give a message to them - think about where you're going." In the past few days Radha Stirling, the founder of Detained in Dubai and IPEX, has taken on the case. She has supported hundreds of people unfairly detained in or at risk of being extradited to the UAE and the Middle East. These include Conor Howard, an engineer from Tranent, East Lothian. He was held in Greece in 2020, under an Interpol warrant, over a conviction for carrying a herb-grinder on a plane trip that stopped in Doha. Ms Stirling said Mr Glendinning's case was a "nightmare" for the family but she was confident they would be able to bring him home. She told BBC Scotland he had been "aggressively pursued" to take out a loan by his bank in Qatar, as is" standard practice" there. 'We will make every effort to save Brian' "The problem with Qatar banks is when they want to pursue someone on Interpol to put pressure on the family to pay the debt, they add legal fees and charges to get the amount over the Interpol threshold, which is €15,000, then wait for that person to be detained and put pressure on their parents or their families to sell assets or use their life's savings to bail out their child," Ms Stirling said. "We will make every diplomatic and legal effort to save Brian from extradition. It's a human rights issue and clearly highlights Qatar's intimate relationship with Interpol." She added: "With the World Cup coming up, Qatar should be mindful of rights attacks towards foreigners." Mr Glendinning's family has called on Prime Minister Liz Truss and Foreign Secretary James Cleverly to help. "We need them to talk to Qatar, to talk to Iraq," his brother said. "We need support for a British citizen who's not a criminal and who's been held like he's a criminal." Crowdfunding The Foreign Office said: "We are providing support to a British man who has been arrested in Iraq and are in touch with the local authorities." A crowdfunding appeal set up by the family to help cover legal costs has already raised more than £11,000 of a £40,000 target. It says: "Brian needs urgent help or risks extradition to Qatar where human rights violations are notorious and where it is likely he would never be allowed to leave. "Even if he goes to prison in Qatar and serves his sentence, they will never let him leave until his debt is paid, but he won't be allowed to work or have a work permit." Scot held in Iraq over unknown Qatari conviction, originally published at bbc.co.uk 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

  • New Interpol Prevention Service to combat Red Notice Abuse

    Abuse of the Interpol system by countries around the world has been steadily increasing in recent years, with Gulf States leading the trend. Of particular concern are those countries which have positioned themselves as investment destinations for foreign business people, such as China and the BRICS nations. “The overwhelming majority of abusive Red Notices issued by Interpol relate to financial disputes,” explains DueRadha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai and Due Process International, “Foreign investors can easily find themselves subjected to wrongful criminal charges in countries like the UAE when business deals fall through, or when they are defrauded by local partners. Even minor issues like bounced cheques will immediately be referred to Interpol after a conviction has been obtained, usually in absentia, and perfectly innocent people end up being listed alongside dangerous international fugitives.” INTERPOL RED NOTICE REMOVAL | Detained in Dubai Interpol Red Notice Removal, Extradition Defence, Expert Witness and Litigation support from expert and veteran, Radha Stirling Stirling, who also founded Interpol and Extradition Reform (IPEX), has been the leading voice against abuse of the Red Notice system, and has successfully secured the removal of countless clients from the Interpol database. “We have a 100% success rate in getting wrongful listings deleted,” She explains, “The removal process is inordinately long and bureaucratic, while listing someone on the database happens with a keystroke. Interpol does no vetting of Red Notice requests, even from known Interpol abusers like the Gulf countries, China, and Turkey. They will agree to issue a Notice even when the nature of the request does not conform to Interpol’s own rules on data collection.” Home | IPEX Reform Interpol & Extradition Reform, Expert Witness, Interpol Removal, Crisis Management, Legislative & Government Advisory The increasing cases of abuse prompted Stirling to launch a new service to help pre-empt wrongful Interpol listings, “We have built a relationship with Interpol over the course of more than a decade,” Stirling says, “Through our work, Interpol has become more sensitive about abusive Notices, and we have established an understanding whereby we can alert them that wrongful requests may be submitted to Interpol regarding particular clients, so that such requests may be first scrutinised for their compliance with Interpol’s rules before a listing is issued. With this service, we hope to be able to help clients avoid ever being wrongfully subjected to an abusive Red Notice.” Stirling’s Interpol Prevention support marks a significant step in combatting Interpol abuse, and can potentially save innocent people from having their lives turned upside-down for months on end, trying to remove their names from the Interpol database when they should never have been listed in the first place. 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

  • CRISPIN BLUNT CONDEMNS FOREIGN OFFICE INACTION OVER CONSTITUENT DETAINED IN SAUDI ARABIA

    Crispin Blunt today condemned the lack of British intervention over a constituent, Mr Christopher Emms, detained in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a result of a US abuse of the Interpol Red Notice System. Emms was originally detained in the Kingdom as a result of a US extradition request issued in February, and has been unable to leave the Kingdom since - despite no allegation that he had broken international, British, or Saudi Arabian law. US seeks extradition of British national over cryptocurrency conference: The case of Christopher Emms. In the last few days, Emms’ lawyer had been advised by Saudi authorities that his travel ban had been lifted. However, when they attended to retrieve his passport, Mr Emms was unexpectedly detained overnight. Emms was later presented to a Saudi Arabian court who denied the US extradition request and released Mr Emms without requiring bail. The Saudi Arabian court also lifted the travel ban. The Ministry of the Interior have informed Emms’ lawyer that he will be arrested and detained overnight any time they come across him and he will be again put in front of a judge even if they will rule as before. Crispin Blunt wonders whether American diplomats continue to play an improper hand and pressure some Saudi officials to ignore their own legal rulings, even though this goes against Saudi law and infringes on the ordinary legal and fundamental human rights of his constituent. But it’s difficult to assess this when our government won’t engage at all. MP accuses Foreign Office of 'washing hands' of Brit detained in Saudi. Mr Blunt commented: “Emms should now be immediately able to come home. The relevant departments of the Saudi Government need to know that the United Kingdom has an interest in this case, will not stand quietly by while its citizens are the victim of the application of wholly improper extraterritoriality by the USA, when there is a perfectly good extradition treaty between our nations and Mr Emms should face any justice process via that route, not via an abuse of the Interpol system. It is a matter of fundamental principle. Our country, our government, owes our citizens protection in circumstances like this; otherwise what is the value of UK citizenship if we won't help them when they are on the wrong end of other state's behaving illegally.” INTERPOL Abuse Exposed - Press Pack Interpol and extradition expert Radha Stirling has condemned America’s abuse of the Red Notice system, saying “We are accustomed to seeing this kind of abuse coming from states like China, Russia and Venezuela but it is disturbing to see it with such regularity from our ally, the United States of America. We have escalated this case to the United Nations and to Interpol themselves to ensure the US is held to account. The Foreign Office has been repeatedly criticised for their lack of intervention in human rights abuses against British citizens leading foreign nations to feel they have been given the green light to commit such egregious harm against our nationals. This has to stop”. FCDO Responsibilities: Are Conflicting Goals Diminishing Efficacy? 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

  • South Korean Interpol Notice Deleted by Radha Stirling

    Interpol and Extradition expert, Radha Stirling announced the deletion of an Interpol Red Notice against her Australian client, issued by The Republic of Korea (ROK). “The Republic of Korea issued a Notice against our client under the category of fraud”, Stirling announced. Ms Stirling founded IPEX (Interpol and Extradition) Reform, a comprehensive initiative to address the widespread and multilayered problems with the current framework of the extradition process, including the many flaws in Interpol itself as an organisation. “This case was no different to the numerous Gulf issued Interpol Red Notices we have been fighting against for over a decade”. Stirling prepared detailed submissions to the Lyon based organisation to determine whether ROK’s Red Notice was abusive. See and download our press pack below: “Interpol Notices are extremely complicated to permanently erase. There is no courtroom and limited participation which is why we have to ensure our submissions are thorough from the onset. Interpol takes submissions from both the applicant and the country who issued the Notice then reviews the arguments in a closed door setting with no involvement or oversight from the applicant. It’s a lengthy process and the applicant in this situation will often be subject to travel restrictions and other hindrances such as legal costs. Sometimes they will be under a travel ban, house arrest or even in prison during this process. After a stressful and lengthy wait, when the commission finds in their favour, the Notice will be deleted and they will be free to resume their lives, but there is no apology, no compensation and no accountability for the issuing country or the data processor, Interpol. The lack of accountability leaves individuals at severe risk of state harassment and Interpol abuse which can have an enormously damaging impact on their lives, finances and reputations. It leaves them unacceptably at risk of human rights violations. “Fortunately, we were successful in deleting this Notice and showing that Korea was unjustified in issuing the Red Notice. Korea will not be required to compensate the victim nor pay any sort of fine to Interpol. This is not the first Korean Red Notice we have removed and it will not be the last. “We are pleased our client is finally exonerated and after his recovery from this exhausting trauma, we will assist him to repair the reputation that was wrongfully damaged in the click of a button. “Interpol needs to do more to prevent these Notices in the first place, not just remove them after the damage has been done”. Home | IPEX Reform Interpol & Extradition Reform, Expert Witness, Interpol Removal, Crisis Management, Legislative & Government Advisory UAE Interpol Red Notice against Danish citizen is deleted Due Process Newsroom & Media Centre Saudi Prince uses Interpol to prevent damaging witness testimony Due Process Newsroom & Media Centre Extradition of British crypto expert to USA would challenge UK sovereignty. Due Process Newsroom & Media Centre 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

  • 60 Minutes | British Cryptocurrency expert wanted by FBI after trip to North Korea

    60 Minutes investigates how British citizen Christopher Emms has become one of the FBI's "Most Wanted" after attending a crypto conference in North Korea. “When we think of human rights violations, we think of Saudi, not the USA”, said Radha Stirling, founder of Due Process International and IPEX who is representing Mr Emms. The Interpol and Extradition expert has taken Emms’ case to the United National for a ruling on his arbitrary detention. “It is unacceptable that the FBI has issued an Interpol Red Notice against a British citizen for allegedly violating domestic US laws that simply don’t apply to him. This is an abuse of power tantamount to State Harassment. “Biden’s new cryptocurrency task force hopes that under enough pressure, Chris will voluntarily surrender to the US and enter a guilty plea under the threat of potentially twenty years in prison. The Statute Chris is alleged to have violated specifies that it only applies to US persons and no foreigner has ever been successfully prosecuted leading authorities to resort to intimidation tactics to pressure victims into plea bargains. The US deliberately activated the Interpol alert while Chris was in Saudi to exude maximum pressure on him, then they froze his bank accounts making it impossible for him to pay for comprehensive legal defence. Colonising the Cryptosphere - by Radha Stirling Due Process Newsroom & Media Centre “When corporations and private individuals use these tactics, we call it extortion and that’s exactly what it is.“ Just like Saudi Arabia has no right to export their own sanction policies on US citizens, the US has no right to intimidate British nationals into submitting to US law. Chris did not violate any British or international laws in attending the conference. The FBI should refocus their energy, drop the indictment and go after real criminals who are subject to American law”. 60 Minutes | Unassuming and easygoing, it's hard to believe how Chris Emms has managed to wedge himself into so much trouble. He's stuck in a no man's land, caught in the middle of a dangerous and frightening powerplay between enemies North Korea and the United States. It started innocently enough when he was invited to the rogue nation for a cryptocurrency conference. A bit of a geek, Chris thought it'd be fun, but the U.S. got wind of his visit and decided there was evil in the adventure. He's now wanted by the FBI, accused of involvement in circumventing international sanctions, and facing lengthy jail time. United Nations to hear US FBI abuse of crypto expert Chris Emms Due Process Newsroom & Media Centre 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

  • Crypto Insider Stuck in Saudi Arabia Over North Korean Conference

    Christopher Emms travelled to North Korea alongside Virgil Griffith for a blockchain conference in 2019, drawing ire of the US Original article by By David Canellis at Blockworks - July 29, 2022 Emms has been in legal limbo in Saudi Arabia for the past five months, awaiting potential extradition to the US UK parliament member Crispin Blunt is now petitioning the Foreign Office to intervene Cryptocurrency insider Christopher Emms, who presented at North Korea’s infamous blockchain “conference,” is fighting what he calls his wrongful detention in Saudi Arabia over the past six months at the hands of the US government. In February, Emms was arrested in Riyadh’s airport following an Interpol Red Notice issued by the US. Emms, a 30-year-old British citizen who’d been living in and working for Roger Ver’s Bitcoin.com out of Dubai, had been invited to the capital by the Saudi government to attend its One Giant Leap technology conference. He was apprehended on his way back to the United Arab Emirates. The Feds allege Emms breached sanctions on North Korea when he travelled to the country in 2019 alongside US citizen Virgil Griffith — the Ethereum programmer recently sentenced to five years’ prison for presenting at the same conference. US authorities had 45 days from Emms’ arrest to provide evidence of his alleged crimes — only applicable to US citizens, which Emms is not — to support his extradition. Nothing has been lodged some 150 days later, leaving Emms stranded after posting bail following a one-day stint in a Saudi jail. In a video interview with Blockworks, Emms said he’s now forced to hop between hotels at his own expense, as he’s ineligible for residency. The US froze his bank accounts and crypto exchange accounts. “I’m literally borrowing funds from friends and family just to pay the bills; it’s difficult,” Emms said. “The British Embassy has made it clear that they don’t particularly want to help in any meaningful way.” Christopher Emms denies being Pyongyang’s blockchain mastermind According to the FBI, which features Emms on its Most Wanted list, Emms planned and organized Pyongyang’s one-day blockchain conference, and allegedly recruited an American crypto expert to join him, arranging his travel to North Korea in violation of US sanctions. While the crypto expert Emms allegedly recruited wasn’t named, it seems the FBI is referring to Griffith. Feds say Emms answered specific questions about blockchain technology and even proposed plans for smart contracts to serve Pyongyang’s interests, mapping out crypto transactions designed to evade US sanctions. US authorities, alongside the United Nations, have suggested that Pyongyang funds its nuclear missile programs by Bitcoin-fuelled ransomware attacks and cryptocurrency exchange thefts, the fruits of which have amounted to more than $1.3 billion. Christopher Emms from his hotel in Saudi Arabia | Source: Blockworks Emms said he had accepted an invitation to speak at North Korea’s blockchain conference extended via LinkedIn by Alejandro Cao de Benós, the Spanish political activist and self-styled Special Delegate of North Korea’s Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries. Cao de Benós is named in an indictment alongside Emms. Emms said he’d never met or spoken to Griffith until the trip, which occurred as the crypto market had floundered for almost a year following bitcoin’s first surge to $20,000. He was there for about eight days, and the conference occurred after a tour across the country. They visited a new airport, schools, museums, a video games arcade — all empty — as well as the peninsula’s Demilitarized Zone. Eventually, Emms and the rest of the conference invitees — about eight — were taken to a conference room with some 20 people, who mostly seemed uninterested, with practically no preparation amongst the delegates. Emms and the others had their passports confiscated and were warned the event had “better go well.” “We were given a load of shit, a paper that had been copied and pasted off Google that was given to us by Cao de Benós with different titles,” Emms told Blockworks. “So, we’re all sort of in the room, and we’re like, ‘OK, who’s going to speak on what?’ We hand these pieces of paper to each other and think, ‘How are we going to deal with this?’” One of the topics provided by Cao de Benós, Emms said, was “blockchain and peace.” Another was “blockchain and tech,” leaving the delegates to ad-lib much of their presentations. UK parliament member says US abused Interpol’s Red Notice system It’s unclear why the US hasn’t complied with Saudi authorities to move Emms’ case along. Radha Stirling, an extradition expert working in support of Emms, told Blockworks she’s hoping the Saudi government will close the case, allowing him to return to the UK. “I think the US is testing where it can export its domestic policy abroad, whether they’ll be successful in requesting the extradition of a foreign national from a foreign jurisdiction,” Stirling said. “Obviously, they knew [Emms] was in Saudi [Arabia] and thought, this is a jurisdiction that’s going to give him maximum pain,” she added. “They were hoping that he would succumb to the pressure and surrender himself voluntarily, maybe enter a plea bargain and name names of other people who they’re also targeting.” The US could file for his extradition from the UK if he returns, something Emms expects to happen if he were to make it back to home soil. But, he said, the British government — including intelligence services — interviewed him extensively and told him they don’t think he’s done anything wrong. This gave Emms confidence to travel to Saudi Arabia for the One Giant Leap conference, after which he was arrested. Crispin Blunt, a long-serving member of UK parliament who has urged the nation’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Saudi ambassador to take action, echoed Stirling’s sentiment. “Emms is a victim of an exercise in American extraterritoriality,” Blunt told Blockworks. “First of all, Chris hasn’t broken, as far as I’m aware, any British international or Saudi laws. The Americans are using the Red Notice system under Interpol improperly — jurisdiction shopping in order to make life as bloody as possible for people they identify as their opponents.” “All of us would have some anxiety about someone idiotic enough to attend a conference in Pyongyang,” Blunt added. “However, on examination, it appears that Emms has been an idiot, not a crook. Being an idiot is not a crime.” 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

  • Is Liz Truss fit to be Prime Minister? The Gulf in Justice Podcast asks Brits detained abroad

    Is Liz Truss fit to be Prime Minister? GULF IN JUSTICE PODCAST asks Brits detained abroad Gulf prisoners & human rights victims say “Liz Truss UNFIT for PM” “If she can’t even discharge her duties as Foreign Minister”, says a British grandfather locked up in Dubai, “how on earth is she fit to run the country? She doesn't deserve a promotion, she deserves to be fired!” At least thirteen Dubai prisoners were asked to sign an agreement that they would be happy to be transferred back to the UK. “The men who signed an agreement for a prisoner exchange were elated to be coming home, especially grandfather Albert Douglas who has been officially confirmed to have been beaten and tortured by prison guards”, explains Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai who regularly works with MP’s and the British government to help Brits detained abroad. “It was expected the prisoner transfer would come as part of the trade meetings held with Liz Truss and the Gulf nations. MP’s, Liz Truss and the Foreign Office were fully aware of these progressions but when it came to the time of the meeting, trade deals were wholly prioritised over British citizens.” “Liz Truss UNFIT for PM” - Brits in Gulf prisons say - Detained in Dubai Albert Douglas has been rotting in prison for over 18 months for bounced cheques he didn’t even write. He was humiliated, beaten, tortured and his bones were broken. Albert is now calling on human rights supporters and MPs to reject Truss’ bid for office. “Liz Truss has been fully aware of my predicament and of the torture I was subjected to”, Albert tells Detained in Dubai from within the prison walls. “Despite serious brutality, she did nothing to get me home and has even ruined the prisoner relocation that the UAE authorities had set up. Truss has abandoned us, can’t even remember our names and is wholly unsuitable as a foreign secretary, let alone the leader of our country. Former Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt had previously negotiated the release of Matthew Hedges who had been held on allegations of espionage. Stirling commented, “Hunt made statements to the media in the case of Laleh Shahravesh who was arrested over a Facebook post, then advocated for Hedges and criticised the FCDO for their lack of intervention in Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s detention in Iran. We have seen no such vigour from Truss who does not appear to understand that the rights of British citizens and human rights generally do not need to be sacrificed to secure trade deals.” British citizen Chris Emms has been detained in Saudi for six months after the USA issued an Interpol Red Notice against him for allegedly violating US sanctions. With US and British ties becoming closer post-brexit, It appears the US is testing the UK to see what they can get away with. This is clearly a violation of British sovereignty, international law, Interpol protocols and UN principles. An application has been submitted to the United Nations for the arbitrary detention of 30 year old Christopher Emms. Neither Liz Truss nor the Foreign Office have made any diplomatic efforts with Saudi Arabia or the USA. Felicity Buchan, MP has also been lobbying Truss on behalf of young footballer, Billy Hood, who was detained over CBD oil left in his car by a friend who he was dropping off at the airport. Billy has been in abysmal conditions, denied medication and medical attention when suffering from an ear infection. He has been beaten by prison guards in Abu Dhabi and threatened to the point where he is now afraid to publicly lobby for help. The FCDO and Liz Truss have done nothing to intervene or diplomatically resolve his case, despite it being covered extensively in the media and on #BBC Breakfast, Good Morning Britain etc. Felicity Buchan asked a Question to Liz Truss in Parliament last year in December regarding both Billy and Albert. Truss gave a wishy washy response and did not act on the request. The USA, Malaysia, Canada, Australia and a number of other countries have all intervened and retrieved their citizens in these circumstances. It is shocking that he is still in prison. The US would not allow this for their citizens. Where a State has committed human rights violations against British citizens, one would expect it to be of paramount importance to the Foreign Minister and that any such victims would be returned home immediately. Instead, Liz Truss can not even remember the names or cases of anyone she has helped or any time she has challenged a gulf state on human rights abuses. This is despite these cases being put in front of her on a regular basis by Members of Parliament In contrast, Jeremy Hunt as Foreign Minister advocated publicly for individual British detainees. #extradition #fcdo #foreignoffice #fco #jeremyhunt #interpol #liztruss #radhastirling #detainedindubai #uae #saudi #crypto #bitcoin #fbimostwanted #dubai #abudhabi #humanrights #torture #unitednations #GulfinJustice #podcast #FreeChrisEmms #FreeAssange #StateHarassment 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

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