Free Salim Alaradi Campaign
Urgent Update – February 29th 2016
Prosecution’s case against Canadian Salim Alaradi weakens as more witnesses come forward. Trial postponed to March 21st 2016.
Canadian Citizen Detained in United Arab Emirates for 551 Days
At the end of today’s hearing, the judge postponed the trial to March 21st 2016 to allow for the subpoena and testimony of the former President of Libya who served during the National Transition Council (NTC), the internationally recognized government after the Libyan revolution. Canadian citizen Salim Alaradi of Libyan origin, like many Libyans, was a philanthropist who sent relief supplies to help with the suffering of the Libyan people after the revolution in 2011. The legal team intends for the former President of Libya to confirm that Alaradi strictly sent supplies directly to the NTC government, a testimony that will only reaffirm written statements provided by the NTC administration.
The trial was also postponed to allow for the forensic medical assessment, conducted by a court-appointed physician, scheduled to take place this Thursday. The lawyers have no doubt that a fair and independent examination will corroborate that severe torture took place which has been confirmed by the United Nations (UN).
On February 15th a subpoena for the main UAE State Security witness on which the prosecution’s case is built on was approved. The 28 year old state security agent, who was a primary interrogator, was bluntly asked whether Alaradi and the Americans were tortured and coerced into giving confessions and he denied. The Agent appeared nervous and apprehensive during the questioning. The prosecution objected to many questions asked by Alaradi’s legal team, limiting the defense lawyers from pressing on inconsistencies and questionable conclusions that the interrogator made in his written witness statement.
Unfortunately today Alaradi’s nephew and only family member in the UAE was denied entrance to the hearing. Canadian and American officials monitored the hearing.
As this trial develops more witnesses have offered to come forward to contest these bizarre accusations. The former Libyan Minister of Defense and former Deputy Prime Minister have volunteered to testify that Alaradi had no involvement or connections to the groups or activities alleged by the State Security and that Alaradi’s relief work was done through the NTC.
Alaradi was illegally arrested by the State Security in August 2014 as part of a larger sweep of arrests of 10 Libyan businessmen. Since then four have been randomly released, two have been placed in a separate trial, and Alaradi is being tried with three others. The trial of the two Libyans, with very similar accusations, began in October 2015 and was scheduled today to announce the verdict. Instead, the verdict was postponed to March 14th 2016. The outcome of that trial will shed light on the UAE’s commitment to due process and what to expect as Alaradi’s trial develops.
With each hearing the prosecution’s baseless case diminishes and their attempts to hamper the defense team increases. We confirm as per the United Nation’s opinion released on February 15 2016 that Alaradi was arbitrarily detained, ill-treated, subjected to proceedings that are in violation of the UAE law and if offered fair trial standards and due process this case should be dismissed without delay. We request that the UAE fulfil the UN’ decision that has called for Alaradi’s immediate release and compensation for his losses.
Recent Media Coverage
The Globe and Mail - Trial resumes in UAE for Canadian alleging torture
The Washington Post - U.S. citizens tortured into confessing terrorist ties in the UAE, family says
The Guardian - UAE beat foreign prisoners and gave them electric shocks, evidence shows
The Washington Post – Americans tortured by American ally
The Guardian - Two Americans detained in UAE to go on trial after 505 days without charges
BBC - UN experts urge UAE to release Libyan detainees
Guardian - Businessmen held in UAE were tortured into confessions, says UN report
New York Times - UN Calls on UAE to Release 5 Libyans Allegedly Tortured
Other Media Coverage
ABC News - UN Calls on UAE to Release 5 Libyans Allegedly Tortured
FOX News - UAE accused of torturing 5 detainees, including 2 Americans
Daily Mail - UN calls on UAE to release 5 Libyans allegedly tortured
Globe and Mail - Canadian businessman Salim Alaradi on trial in Abu Dhabi in terror case
La Presse - L’ONU demande aux Émirats arabes unis de libérer un détenu canadien
Reuters - UN experts condemn trial of foreign nationals in the UAE, call for release
CBC - United Nations calls for Canadian Salim Alaradi’s release from U.A.E.
Huffington Post - Salim Alaradi Case: UN Calls On United Arab Emirates To Release Detained Canadian
CTV - UN calls on U.A.E. to release detained Canadian
Toronto Sun - UN calls for release of Canadian detained in UAE for year and a half
ICI Radio Canada - Le procès de Salim Alaradi aux Émirats arabes unis ajourné au 29 février
Middle East Eye - The UAE must free my brother, Salim Alaradi
Media Contacts
For further details about Salim Alaradi’s situation and the progress of the case in UAE:
Paul Champ, Human rights lawyer representing Salim Alaradi
T: (613) 237-2441
E: [email protected]
Greg Craig, Lawyer for US Nationals Kamal and Mohamed El Darat and former White House Counsel
T: +1.202.371.7400
E: [email protected]
Marwa Alaradi, Salim Alaradi’s eldest daughter
E: [email protected]
For comments about the UN News Release:
Ms. Amanda Flores, UN Human Rights Officer
T: + 41 22 917 9186
E: [email protected])
Ms. Sonia Cronin, UN Human Rights Officer
T: +41 22 917 9160
E: [email protected]
For comments about the case and the UN Opinion:
Geoffrey Robertson QC
T: + 44 (0) 7940 951731
E: [email protected]
Sue Willman, Deighton Pierce Glynn
T: +44 (0) 20 7407 0007
E: [email protected]
Andy Slaughter MP, Shadow Justice Minister
T: +44 (0)20 7610 1950
E: [email protected]
For further background about this case and related human rights concerns in UAE:
John Tackaberry, Media Officer, Amnesty International Canada
T: (613) 744-7667, extension 236
E: [email protected]
Monia Mazigh, National Coordinator-International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group
T: (613) 241-5298
E: [email protected]
Nicholas McGeehan, UAE researcher at Human Rights Watch
E: [email protected]
Drewery Dyke, UAE Researcher at Amnesty International
T: +44 (0) 75 3558 7297
E: [email protected]
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For more details about the case please visit:
Campaign Website http://www.freesalimalaradi.com/
Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/freesalimalaradi
Twitter Account https://twitter.com/freesalimaradi
Youtube Channel https://www.youtube.com/c/freesalimalaradi
