pixthulu (![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} pixthulu) wrote,@ 2008-01-27 10:26:00 |
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Diz Detained in Dubai
Many of you know that Diz has been detained in Dubai, through the immigration process people are 'randomly' pulled for inspection. For anyone ever travelling to Dubai, avoid anything that draws attention to you, during immigration. Don't take any prescription drugs with you, even if you have the prescription, infact don't even take panadol. It's not the 'search' that is problematic, it's the urine or blood-test. What is legal in Amsterdam or decriminalised in London is illegal here, having it in your urine qualifies as smuggling.
Diz was found with over the counter sleeping pills. We had hoped these would simply be confiscated, but they claimed to have found 'hashish' in his back-pack, a small fleck of something brown, which is probably dirt.
As soon as the Police use the word 'hash' it becomes impossible to manouveour through alternative channels. We sat and waited for him for two hours, believing he'd be freed. The Police here don't have to apparently tell the truth, by 1.00 PM he was shifted to the Police Stattion. It looked like immediate deportation, but they won't tell you what is happening accurately.
We contacted a Sheikh from the ruling family, the German Embassy, the Chief of Police, Narcotics Officers, Majors in the Police Force through personal connections and friendships to make this 'disappear'... I put a native Arabic Speaker on the phone to the police during the detainment, as that usually helps and so we could get a more accurate measure of the scenario.
We pulled every string there is. The use of the word 'hash' closed the door on us. Until clarity is established with the 'supposed hash', it's difficult, as in this discreet country, the word 'drug and smuggler' means back off. Hand it to the police, as a tactic to give them more time with him, it worked. For those not familiar with Dubai, a DEA Officer from Afghanastan, had some hash and seeds on him, easy to have happen when you're seizing the stuff in tonnes... A gram of Hash and Seeds landed him 6 months in prison, Sheikh Maktoum (the ruler) pardoned him about 6 months after the event and apologised, but not even the Sheikh with pressure from the DEA and US Government could release someone accused of 'drug' and 'smuggler'. Diz is a long way from 'a gram of hash', to a fleck of something, but you can understand how an accusation like that made the Embassy and our supporters step-away to the left until we know what they have.
Now assuming the Hash isn't hash - which I do. But a urine test is another matter. At this stage, I need to know the conclusion on the Hash, and we will engage 'the' German Ambassador, who fortunately is a friend. Our immediate objective is deportation on the basis of a poor-score on the urine test. With diplomatic pressure this is the most likely result. The worst case, is a 4 year sentence cut down to 6 months. That is how this works.
Dubai is a great country, although the above may not sound so good - I've had a fantastic time here. There are many things that are illegal here, and recently there's been a stronger swing towards Islam. But as long as you are 'discreet' everything short of 'drugs' is tolerated. Sure PDAs are illegal unless you have a marriage license, but that's only really a problem during Ramadan, and as long as you aren't groping in the street it's fine... just don't go to Sharjah (another Emirate). As far as an Islamic Country goes, Dubai is very tolerant, it's over 85% expatriate, probably closer to 90%. But when you enter the country, treat it like Saudi Arabia.
The rule is here, 'don't make a fuss'. And we are for Diz, albeit discreetly. My feeling is you'll see him back in England by Wednesday; that's our goal.
According to the Narcotics Officer, they can hold him for 24-48 hours without charging him. They probably will because they're making foreigners with drugs or positive tests an example; even suspected ones. After that he will be deported and banned from the country.
In his favour are several things; 1) it's a non-prescription drug and 2) it's not hash. 3) And most importantly, he never made it through Customs and thus not into Dubai - so any urine test, effectively falls outside of having 'drugs' in Dubai. Although it qualifies as 'smuggling', it can't qualify as smuggling to distribute; it's retroactive personal use. The 'forced confession' isn't good - internationally - but then it's common - sign these forms, written in Arabic.
Nothing sadly, about Diz's case is unusual. Precedent says, 'deport with embassy pressure'. We'll do our best. I thank you all, and on Diz's behalf for the texts and calls. I'm in constant contact with Mildred, and I believe diplomatic pressure is the answer, and they have far-greater familiarity with the laws and rights in this Emirate than I do for foreigners.
Any further developments, I'll post here. We are doing all that we can, staying 'smart and cool', and I know that Diz is resilient with these kinds of things. During the detainment he kept his sense of humour, and we've kept on the embassy, hit the phone all day and night to do everything we can, called every connection there is here - hopefully 'stirring enough' to make them wonder, 'who exactly they have in their hands and to tread carefully with him'.
For those who want to help, there's not much that can be done. I've got as much information as I can, Mildred is sourcing Diz's parents, so they can get in contact with him and the Vice Consul is looking at it today. The second I have confirmation on the test-results, we can respond accordingly to the scenario. Mildred's doing great, everything we need her to do.
Thanks!
Many of you know that Diz has been detained in Dubai, through the immigration process people are 'randomly' pulled for inspection. For anyone ever travelling to Dubai, avoid anything that draws attention to you, during immigration. Don't take any prescription drugs with you, even if you have the prescription, infact don't even take panadol. It's not the 'search' that is problematic, it's the urine or blood-test. What is legal in Amsterdam or decriminalised in London is illegal here, having it in your urine qualifies as smuggling.
Diz was found with over the counter sleeping pills. We had hoped these would simply be confiscated, but they claimed to have found 'hashish' in his back-pack, a small fleck of something brown, which is probably dirt.
As soon as the Police use the word 'hash' it becomes impossible to manouveour through alternative channels. We sat and waited for him for two hours, believing he'd be freed. The Police here don't have to apparently tell the truth, by 1.00 PM he was shifted to the Police Stattion. It looked like immediate deportation, but they won't tell you what is happening accurately.
We contacted a Sheikh from the ruling family, the German Embassy, the Chief of Police, Narcotics Officers, Majors in the Police Force through personal connections and friendships to make this 'disappear'... I put a native Arabic Speaker on the phone to the police during the detainment, as that usually helps and so we could get a more accurate measure of the scenario.
We pulled every string there is. The use of the word 'hash' closed the door on us. Until clarity is established with the 'supposed hash', it's difficult, as in this discreet country, the word 'drug and smuggler' means back off. Hand it to the police, as a tactic to give them more time with him, it worked. For those not familiar with Dubai, a DEA Officer from Afghanastan, had some hash and seeds on him, easy to have happen when you're seizing the stuff in tonnes... A gram of Hash and Seeds landed him 6 months in prison, Sheikh Maktoum (the ruler) pardoned him about 6 months after the event and apologised, but not even the Sheikh with pressure from the DEA and US Government could release someone accused of 'drug' and 'smuggler'. Diz is a long way from 'a gram of hash', to a fleck of something, but you can understand how an accusation like that made the Embassy and our supporters step-away to the left until we know what they have.
Now assuming the Hash isn't hash - which I do. But a urine test is another matter. At this stage, I need to know the conclusion on the Hash, and we will engage 'the' German Ambassador, who fortunately is a friend. Our immediate objective is deportation on the basis of a poor-score on the urine test. With diplomatic pressure this is the most likely result. The worst case, is a 4 year sentence cut down to 6 months. That is how this works.
Dubai is a great country, although the above may not sound so good - I've had a fantastic time here. There are many things that are illegal here, and recently there's been a stronger swing towards Islam. But as long as you are 'discreet' everything short of 'drugs' is tolerated. Sure PDAs are illegal unless you have a marriage license, but that's only really a problem during Ramadan, and as long as you aren't groping in the street it's fine... just don't go to Sharjah (another Emirate). As far as an Islamic Country goes, Dubai is very tolerant, it's over 85% expatriate, probably closer to 90%. But when you enter the country, treat it like Saudi Arabia.
The rule is here, 'don't make a fuss'. And we are for Diz, albeit discreetly. My feeling is you'll see him back in England by Wednesday; that's our goal.
According to the Narcotics Officer, they can hold him for 24-48 hours without charging him. They probably will because they're making foreigners with drugs or positive tests an example; even suspected ones. After that he will be deported and banned from the country.
In his favour are several things; 1) it's a non-prescription drug and 2) it's not hash. 3) And most importantly, he never made it through Customs and thus not into Dubai - so any urine test, effectively falls outside of having 'drugs' in Dubai. Although it qualifies as 'smuggling', it can't qualify as smuggling to distribute; it's retroactive personal use. The 'forced confession' isn't good - internationally - but then it's common - sign these forms, written in Arabic.
Nothing sadly, about Diz's case is unusual. Precedent says, 'deport with embassy pressure'. We'll do our best. I thank you all, and on Diz's behalf for the texts and calls. I'm in constant contact with Mildred, and I believe diplomatic pressure is the answer, and they have far-greater familiarity with the laws and rights in this Emirate than I do for foreigners.
Any further developments, I'll post here. We are doing all that we can, staying 'smart and cool', and I know that Diz is resilient with these kinds of things. During the detainment he kept his sense of humour, and we've kept on the embassy, hit the phone all day and night to do everything we can, called every connection there is here - hopefully 'stirring enough' to make them wonder, 'who exactly they have in their hands and to tread carefully with him'.
For those who want to help, there's not much that can be done. I've got as much information as I can, Mildred is sourcing Diz's parents, so they can get in contact with him and the Vice Consul is looking at it today. The second I have confirmation on the test-results, we can respond accordingly to the scenario. Mildred's doing great, everything we need her to do.
Thanks!
