Widow ([info]blackwidowsweb) wrote,
@ 2008-02-14 01:24:00
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Current mood:astounded

please help!
I've been away from livejournal for a while, I have come back on to keep up with a very disturbing situation that is happening to a very undeserving person. My friend [info]_yungfuktoi_'s partner has been unjustly imprisoned in Dubai for carrying melatonin on him when entering the country. He is lookng at possibly 4 years in prison for an over the counter drug that can be purchased anywhere in Dubai. More info anf updates can be found on her lj, here's the initial rundown:

URGENT SITUATION please read and pass along

On Saturday, my best friend and partner, Cat Le-huy (aka Diz) was arrested at Dubai Airport for having melatonin on his person, an over-the-counter jet lag aid. They stripped him, submitted him to urine testing, forced him to sign documents in Arabic, which he didn't understand. During the searched the literally scraped the bottom of his bag for fragments of dirt which
they are now alleging is 'hashish'.

He now faces four years in Dubai prison for 'drug smuggling'.

He is totally innocent of all charges, but in Dubai there is no 'due process'. We need your help to collect as many signatures as possible, and if there is anything you feel you can do to help us
secure his release we would be so grateful.

Petition
Full story
On Coilhouse
On boingboing
On Warren Ellis
BBC
The
Evening Standard
The Register
The Daily Record
Facebook1
Facebook2
BBC World Service interview with both me and Fair Trials International (38 minutes in)
Complete list of publications here

Regular updates on his situation will be posted on my
Livejournal

Please feel free to pass this on to anyone you know, and I'm both overwhelmed and humbled by the support we've been given. Thank you so
much.

- Mildred


(11 comments) - (Post a new comment)


[info]shadezofdys
2008-02-14 03:44 pm UTC (link)
That is so ridiculous. Dubai has actually been in the news quite a bit recently for this type of situation. There's been arrests on people for having 0.003g of pot stuck to the bottom of their shoe.

Well, actually, now that I read the article about the situation it does mention Cat in it by name.

Well, I signed the petition.

I'm pretty concerned because I have a couple of friends who are going to be playing a show in Dubai in March and. . . well. . . I'm sure you know some folks who play in metal bands and their typical lifestyles. Well, now that I'm thinking of it I'm going to send them a message.

Hopefully our governments (Canada, Britain and the US) can bring enough pressure, or alternatively, the tourist population avoids Dubai, so these people can be released.

Hoping for the best for Mildred.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]_yungfuktoi_
2008-02-14 07:02 pm UTC (link)
There's a massive metal festival in March, with KORN and Killswitch, et al. We're writing to their managers at this time to warn them of the danger they face, since Cat was profiled for long hair and tattoos, as well as being Asian.
The problem is, even if you do no wrong, this could still happen to you. Cat's test results came up negative (his urine was tested twice, as was the melatonin which they claimed was E, both times negative). The specks of dirt are what they're charging him for, now, and they won't give us access to it for independent testing. This means they are simply charging him to save face, and are willing to destroy a mans life to do so.
If you can at all, talk your friends out of doing the show: not just because supporting a country which puts your 'kind' in jail is not a good idea, but because they, themselves, are playing a game of Russian roulette by even entering Dubai airspace.
Either way, good luck to them, and thanks for your concern :)

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

[info]shadezofdys
2008-02-14 07:39 pm UTC (link)
Yep, Killswitch would be the band I was talking about (Adam D n Joel anyhow, don't really know the others well) but I sent a message to their family so that they can get the info to them.

The more I think about the situation the more I think it is just way to dangerous to go there but I'm not sure what the management end is thinking.

Anyhow, I truly hope things turn out well for you guys.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

[info]_yungfuktoi_
2008-02-14 07:55 pm UTC (link)
If you need a copy of the press release, send me an email at mildredvon at yahoo dot com. We're contacting their management, not them directly, but if you want to send them guidelines to reduce their chances of this happening to them, there is a list of banned substances here:
http://www.fairtrials.net/index.php/news/article/list_of_controlled_pharmaceutical_substances_in_uae/
It's important to note that if they have taken any of the substances on that list prior to entering the country, and they are subjected to a urine or blood test which shows positive for these items, that counts as 'drug possession' and warrants the four year sentence.
As guests invited to Dubai, they will probably be OK, but taking a few precautions is the best way forward.
Be safe :)

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

[info]shadezofdys
2008-02-14 08:08 pm UTC (link)
Thanks a ton!

That's awesome, I've forwarded that info, and links to the articles about the situation, to some family and hopefully it'll get into their hands sooner rather than later.

I'm going to add you to my LJ too, I'd love to be able to help out however I can and keep up to date on the situation.

Be well.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

[info]_yungfuktoi_
2008-02-14 08:17 pm UTC (link)
Thanks for taking such an active role in this, and I'll add you back the next time I log in. I'll be making a major update in about an hour.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

[info]shadezofdys
2008-02-14 08:49 pm UTC (link)
Not a problem, this sort of situation gets my dander all up. And all the groundwork is laid so it's good to see the process of the situation (ie. what kind of outcry actually does something).

But again, good luck and I'll keep an eye out and help out where I can.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]_yungfuktoi_
2008-02-14 07:03 pm UTC (link)
<3
She's back!

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]blackwidowsweb
2008-02-21 03:17 am UTC (link)
I'm so glad to hear you've raised the funds for the legals. I hope you're holding up well, at least it sounds like you have a huge support grid and people there to keep you company. Wish I could take you out for a good night of liquor and nonsense to help destress a little :(

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

[info]_yungfuktoi_
2008-02-21 05:34 pm UTC (link)
I cannot even begin to describe how badly I need a drink right now :P

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]redstickman
2008-02-15 03:50 am UTC (link)
Thanks for posting this. Was linked to it by Josie Nutter. When I get a chance, I'll post on my journal as well.

(Reply to this)

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