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American consultant jailed in UAE over satirical video to be released American consultant jailed in UAE over satirical video to be released
(about 1 hour later)
An American consultant, jailed for a year in the United Arab Emirates for making a spoof video about his host country, is set to be released with days.An American consultant, jailed for a year in the United Arab Emirates for making a spoof video about his host country, is set to be released with days.
Shezanne Cassim, 29, from Woodbury, near St Paul, Minnesota, has been moved from the federal prison in the desert outside Abu Dhabi where he was being held to a deportation centre nearby in preparation for being flown back to the United States.Shezanne Cassim, 29, from Woodbury, near St Paul, Minnesota, has been moved from the federal prison in the desert outside Abu Dhabi where he was being held to a deportation centre nearby in preparation for being flown back to the United States.
“He is going to be released, we hope it’s this week, but we are not sure. He has been moved to a deportation centre in anticipation of being released within a few days,” said Susan Burns, a US lawyer who has been working on behalf of the Cassim family to secure the man’s liberty.“He is going to be released, we hope it’s this week, but we are not sure. He has been moved to a deportation centre in anticipation of being released within a few days,” said Susan Burns, a US lawyer who has been working on behalf of the Cassim family to secure the man’s liberty.
As part of the sentence he received in a UAE court, Cassim was ordered to be deported at the end of his prison term. Cassim’s family in Minnesota and local political representatives had been lobbying the State Department to help secure his early release. “His family is ecstatic,” said Burns.As part of the sentence he received in a UAE court, Cassim was ordered to be deported at the end of his prison term. Cassim’s family in Minnesota and local political representatives had been lobbying the State Department to help secure his early release. “His family is ecstatic,” said Burns.
But she added that it was “terrible” that the consultant would be deported “for posting a comedy video”.But she added that it was “terrible” that the consultant would be deported “for posting a comedy video”.
Cassim was sentenced for allegedly threatening UAE security and endangering public order with an online satirical video mocking affluent Emirates youth who mimic gangster street behaviour while actually enjoying pampered lifestyles.Cassim was sentenced for allegedly threatening UAE security and endangering public order with an online satirical video mocking affluent Emirates youth who mimic gangster street behaviour while actually enjoying pampered lifestyles.
He was arrested and imprisoned last April, charged with breaking strict new UAE cybercrime laws, and on 23 December was sentenced to a year’s imprisonment, followed by deportation.He was arrested and imprisoned last April, charged with breaking strict new UAE cybercrime laws, and on 23 December was sentenced to a year’s imprisonment, followed by deportation.
The video, Satwa Combat School, was posted to YouTube as a lighthearted parody, Cassim’s supporters say. The video began with a disclaimer stating it was fiction and not intended to offend anyone. Defenders of the young American said the video was intended “in the spirit of Saturday Night Live” and was not meant to be taken seriously or cause offence.The video, Satwa Combat School, was posted to YouTube as a lighthearted parody, Cassim’s supporters say. The video began with a disclaimer stating it was fiction and not intended to offend anyone. Defenders of the young American said the video was intended “in the spirit of Saturday Night Live” and was not meant to be taken seriously or cause offence.
Minnesota senator Amy Klobuchar, who campaigned for Cassim's release, said the decision was "wonderful news" and the "right thing to do". She added: “Jailing this young man for months for posting a harmless video made absolutely no sense, especially in a country that prides itself on being a tolerant and just nation.
In contacts with the UAE ambassador to the US, and his American counterpart in Dubai, Klobuchar advocated for Cassim’s sentence to include his time served, which she said was a major factor in the UAE’s decision to release him.
Cassim moved to Dubai after graduating from the University of Minnesota in 2006 and began working for the international consultancy giant PricewaterhouseCoopers. He and several friends made the satirical video in October 2012 and state-owned UAE media said the group was accused of “defaming the image of United Arab Emirates society abroad”.Cassim moved to Dubai after graduating from the University of Minnesota in 2006 and began working for the international consultancy giant PricewaterhouseCoopers. He and several friends made the satirical video in October 2012 and state-owned UAE media said the group was accused of “defaming the image of United Arab Emirates society abroad”.
It is not yet clear what effect Cassim’s stretch in custody and now his deportation will have on his employment situation, or to what extent official American diplomacy helped with his early release. “We just don’t know yet,” said Burns.It is not yet clear what effect Cassim’s stretch in custody and now his deportation will have on his employment situation, or to what extent official American diplomacy helped with his early release. “We just don’t know yet,” said Burns.
But she added that his family and supporters were relieved that he would be freed. “His family can’t wait to see him again,” she said.But she added that his family and supporters were relieved that he would be freed. “His family can’t wait to see him again,” she said.
Cassim reported decent conditions in jail but had lost a lot of weight and become very despondent and anxious.Cassim reported decent conditions in jail but had lost a lot of weight and become very despondent and anxious.
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