U.S. Chargé d'Affaires Visits Detained American in Dubai

June 29, 2012

Abu Dhabi - The U.S. Chargé d'Affaires, L. Victor Hurtado, visited detained U.S. citizen Zack Shahin at the Dubai Central Jail on June 26. Mr. Hurtado was accompanied by a consular officer. Mr. Shahin, who has been imprisoned in Dubai since 2008, has been engaged in a hunger strike since May 14.

"After more than six weeks, obviously there are serious concerns about Mr. Shahin's health," said Mr. Hurtado. "We continue to urge the authorities to release him on bail, as has been approved but not carried out in the past. In addition, we urge that the several outstanding pending cases against Mr. Shahin can be consolidated, allowing him to defend himself more effectively."

The United States has had significant concerns with the prosecution of Mr. Shahin since his detention in 2008, including his detention for more than one year without formal charges, the failure to release him on approved bail requests, and the apparent unequal treatment of Mr. Shahin as measured against other defendants accused of financial crimes in the United Arab Emirates.

The United States has repeatedly raised Mr. Shahin's case during meetings with senior UAE officials in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Washington, urging the UAE to conduct Mr. Shahin's case in an expeditious and transparent manner.