www.detainedindubai.com

www.detainedindubai.com

Endemol’s Head of Technology

Detained on holiday to Dubai

UK Tourist Arrested in Dubai Airport for Melatonin, Imprisoned Without Charges

Dubai, UAE, January 26, 2008 - German citizen and UK resident Cat Le-Huy arrived in Dubai and was arbitrarily stopped at immigration. Initial inspection of Le-Huy’s belongings by Dubai authorities yielded a bottle of melatonin, a health supplement available over the counter both in Dubai and in the US (where Le-Huy had purchased it). After being taken into the interrogation room, Le-Huy was strip-searched, submitted to urine testing, and was forced to sign papers in Arabic which he couldn’t read - being promised that if he signed them he would be released and deported. During the bag search, authorities came up with a few trace fragments of dirt, which they alleged to be hashish. During and after the arrest, Dubai authorities also alleged that the melatonin bottle found in Le-Huy’s bag contained other pills. Within the first 48 hours, tests conducted by the authorities indicated that the melatonin pills did not contain any other substances and they were cleared. Le-Huy’s urine sample also tested negative for any drug use. The German Embassy expected that Le-Huy would be released at this time, but authorities have called on options to extend his detainment in order to investigate the specks of dirt that they found.

Despite having tested negative for drug use and with no evidence of drug possession, Le-Huy remains detained in Dubai without charge. Having been singled out, seemingly for having long hair and for being of South East Asian descent, he has been added to the growing number of foreigners trapped in the system, whose captors are reportedly financially rewarded for successful prosecution. There is no due process: detainees, if they wish to be released swiftly, must plead guilty and ask for a pardon from the sheik as their only recourse for justice. If a prisoner maintains their innocence they are neglected and held in indefinite limbo, some having been in detention centers for a year without trial. There are conflicting reports as to the conviction rate in the UAE, but they are all very high figures.w w w. d e t a i n e d i n d u b a i . c om

On the 18th of February authorities applied for an extension to keep Cat in custody for a further 30 - 40 days under investigation and without charge. After this time if the case is not withdrawn, a hearing should be arranged - which will take an unknown period of time.

A campaign to raise thousands of dollars for his legal fees was recently launched, with his company, Endemol, friends, family and the concerned public already donating more than US$50,000 over a 5 day period. The required amount may need be increased if there is need for a full trial or appeal. Obviously, this is causing significant financial impact on many people’s lives as well as the many friends and colleagues who are donating their full time where possible to the campaign for his release.

Even if eventually found innocent and deported, Cat could be tied up for months in a grey legal system and a prison with a notorious reputation for its violations of human rights. If found guilty, he faces 3 - 4 years in prison for particles the authorities claim to be hashish, which is so small, the naked eye can barely see it - it would not be useable and is untrafficable. To the Western world, this is far from justice and could happen to anyone who comes into contact with contaminated dirt. People are not asked to decontaminate themselves and belongings before entering Dubai, yet their laws are so backward they can convict people for microscopic amounts of many prohibited drugs and pharmaceuticals.

The implications of these unjust laws that can imprison tourists in the worst prisons - who aren’t even aware they are carrying trace elements of illegal substances - means visiting in Dubai is a game of russian roulette. There are very few attorneys who represent clients in drug related matters, and they are extremely expensive by western standards. This means many people who cannot afford representation are forced to plead guilty. There is no legal process to have test results independently tested and validated, and there are financial incentives provided to the authorities for drug related convictions. This system seems to be set up to encourage corruption and infuse the legal economy with western money.

Whether Cat is released or convicted and sentenced, justice has not been done and he is the victim of a judicial system that allows for this treatment. Regardless of whether he is found innocent, he will likely have no savings, house or job to return to. His life and those of his family, friends and partner have been turned upside down by this miscarriage of justice.

We are very distressed at the situation, especially as our appeals for bail were not granted and there was no possibility to keep Cat at the airport detention centre. He has reported that the Al Wathba Prison is much more violent than the airport prison and he is unable to make contact with the outside world - except for up to 60 seconds via a telephone that is so crackly, he can barely be understood.

Our next hope is that this case does not go to trial and that the DPP will simply deport him but, even if this occurs, we can not imagine the trauma he has endured.

In the meantime, we are raising awareness of the issue in hope to warn others of the risks of this major tourist destination. We are writing to the President’s Office in Dubai and appealing to Richard Branson of Virgin, the airline Cat flew with into Dubai, for his (non financial) assistance.w w w. d e t a i n e d i n d u b a i . c om

There are a number of options that we would appreciate, given the circumstances, that would form a resolution or demonstrate progression. We fully acknowledge that carriage of non-prescription pills outside their package was negligent, and willfully respect the investigation of these and the alleged illegal substance.

Ideal resolutions would be for Cat to be:

1. Released with the surrender of his passport, as a form of bail until the conclusion of the investigation.

2. Immediately deported.

3. Released with freedom based on the non-provision of charges over a length of time.

Ideally, we would prefer the third option, in view of the situation as a misunderstanding that occurred as result of implementation of current policy.

We, as representatives of Cat Le-Huy, and with the deepest respect for Dubai, its laws and traditions, particularly with regard to the ‘zero-tolerance’ of ‘drugs’ would like to see the risk of detainment for other travelers to this nation reduced. Our goal in these recommendations is to recognize and actively support the ‘zero-tolerance’ law in balance with the cultural differences of international guests, ultimately serving to project Dubai’s strong anti-drug stance whilst maintaining respect for human rights and legal process.

Our recommendations are:

1. That passengers on airlines are able to surrender items, that are legal in their country of origin, under amnesty, either on the airplane or in plastic bins placed between immigration and the point of arrival.

2. That medications or decriminalized substances legally consumed within the country of origin are not prosecutable under Dubai law.

3. A clear legal process from the point of detainment, with any confession supplied in the native language of the person being held, and that confessions be given freely and not subject to false incentive (such as promise of immediate deportation) in return for signature.

According to friends, Le-Huy’s decision to travel to Dubai came about after visiting the official tourist website of Dubai’s Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DTMC). The website is part of a larger campaign aimed at Western tourists and promotes Dubai as a safe and modern holiday destination. The DTMC aggressively advertises Dubai Tourism all over the world: as per their website, "The marketing mix of DTCM-Dubai comprises of very strong, strategic placement of media campaigns in print, electronic and outdoor, which reaches the target audiences... the media vehicle, language and the creative are all tailor made to suit that market."w w w. d e t a i n e d i n d u b a i . c om

The government-created DTMC website, which advertises itself as an all-in-one tourist resource, fails to mention any of the new, strict laws that daily ensnare Western travelers in Dubai’s prisons. One Dubai law states that trace amounts of drugs used before coming to Dubai in the traveler’s system count as "drug possession", a crime punished with a mandatory four-year jail sentence. This includes legal, prescribed drugs for health conditions - examples are codeine and similar narcotic-like drugs prescribed for pain.

Since the launch of this concentrated campaign for Le-Huy’s release, the DTMC have responded favorably and have indicated that they will include more information about Dubai drug laws as well as the penalties travelers face for breaking them.

• 9.00am – 12.00pm Detained for suspected possession of narcotics after a search revealed melatonin pills stored in a metal case.

• Strip searched, urine samples & pills taken for testing. All results negative.

• Further search of luggage resulted in the discovery of an unidentified substance (small brown particles of what is likely to be dirt).

• Cat signed a confession in Arabic (which he does not speak) under duress and was assured if he signed it, he would be deported that evening.

• 12.30pm Contact made with German Embassy.

• 1.00pm Cat was moved to Bur Dubai Police Centre for processing.

• Cat was returned to the Airport Deportation Centre.

• German Embassy was contacted and they advised they expected the situation to be resolved.

• German Embassy advises that they will not become involved until the investigation into the specks of dirt in Cat’s bag is complete.

• Detention extended for 7 days without hearing or charge.

• Detention extended for 14 days without hearing or charge.

• No action from embassy.

• No further information on test results from Dubai authorities.

• UAE Legal representation retained and beginning investigation under the supervision of UK Law firm Royds Solicitors.

• Cat transferred to Central Police Station cells.

• Legal representation appealed for conditional bail.

• German Embassy and Legal representation confirmed test results would conclude on Monday.

• Test results due back.

• Unable to ascertain results.

• Rumours of Cat being moved to the Central Prison (Al Wathba) remained unconfirmed

• No contact from Cat (unusual).w w w. d e t a i n e d i n d u b a i . c om

• Received confirmation that Cat was moved to Al Wathba prison on 10 February.

• Cat’s legal representative visited him and reported he was in good spirits. Further visitations were arranged.

• German Consulate was informed the urine test results were again negative.

• Officials informed the Attorney the investigation was to conclude today.

•Cat’s Attorney confirmed positive test results for 0.03g of hashish.

•Results unable to be independently tested. There is have no way of ensuring the machine manufacturers directions are being adhered to.

•Cat detained another week without charge.

•Another 30 – 40 day extension is assumed likely.

•A hearing will be arranged where Cat will plead innocent.

•Cat has been held at Al Wathba Prison without charge for over one week.

•A further extension of 30 – 40 days has been granted where the investigation will continue.

•The case has been supplied to the DPP whose decision whether to charge or not is pending.

• Still awaiting the decision of the DPP.

• Cat remains in Al Wathba Prison.

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