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- 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
- 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











