Seven murderers, one of them a woman, were executed in KSA last month. YTD total is now 59.
Still no information concerning the Kohail brothers as their case gets kicked from court to court.
02 December 2009
05 November 2009
07 October 2009
Head Count
The stimulus package was not successful in creating or saving a job for the executioner in Saudi Arabia. There were no, none, zero, nada, zilch executions in Saudi during September. Ramadan may have been a factor.
On the other hand, the King did not see fit to pardon the Kohail brothers, either.
On the other hand, the King did not see fit to pardon the Kohail brothers, either.
16 September 2009
World Cancelled
The World, Dubai's offshore development of 300 islands for private ownership has been placed on hold. And that isn't the only construction project in trouble. In total, about $300 Billion worth of construction is on hold.
With that amount of construction halted, it won't be long before expat labor is sent back home.
With that amount of construction halted, it won't be long before expat labor is sent back home.
Submarine Capers
An interesting story is starting to build. The giant conglomerate, Dubai World, is suing Herve Jaubert, founder of Seahorse Submarines, in federal court in Miami for fraud and theft. They claim he misrepresented himself when they hired him to be CEO of Exomos, a company started to build luxury personal submarines for the rich owners of the islands in the Jebel Ali Palm and World developments.
Jaubert escaped from Dubai last year using skills he learned in the French Navy after the Dubai Police arrested and questioned him and confiscated his passport. He was tried in abstentia in Dubai Court, found guilty and sentenced to 5 years. He claims he is a victim of betrayal and corruption and has written a book about his situation and subsequent escape.
Jaubert escaped from Dubai last year using skills he learned in the French Navy after the Dubai Police arrested and questioned him and confiscated his passport. He was tried in abstentia in Dubai Court, found guilty and sentenced to 5 years. He claims he is a victim of betrayal and corruption and has written a book about his situation and subsequent escape.
15 September 2009
Burj Dubai Plot
Israeli news service YNET has a story about an Iranian plot to blow up Burj Dubai. According to the story, Dubai Police have arrested 45 people associated with the plot.
Khaleej Times reports that the Dubai Police claim that the plot doesn't exist.
Who to believe?
Khaleej Times reports that the Dubai Police claim that the plot doesn't exist.
Who to believe?
02 September 2009
Head Count
The month of August saw four murderers beheaded in Saudi Arabia. Total number of executions in SA to date for 2009 is an even 50.
The Kohail brothers (Canadian citizens convicted of murder in the Kingdom) are still in limbo. There has been no news about them in almost a month.
The Kohail brothers (Canadian citizens convicted of murder in the Kingdom) are still in limbo. There has been no news about them in almost a month.
04 August 2009
Ramadan Crackdown on Begging
According to Gulf News, Ras al Khaimah police will crackdown on begging during Ramadan. Evidently, RAK is overrun with beggars during the month of Ramadan to the point where "they pose a serious threat to society."
I'm still trying to get my head around this issue. I thought Ramadan was a month for religious reflection and charity. And wouldn't that include giving gifts to the poor, many of whom might be beggars?
The RAK police might want to ask themselves, What Would Jesus Do?
I'm still trying to get my head around this issue. I thought Ramadan was a month for religious reflection and charity. And wouldn't that include giving gifts to the poor, many of whom might be beggars?
The RAK police might want to ask themselves, What Would Jesus Do?
03 August 2009
Head Count
Saudi Arabia executed 3 murderers in July bringing the total number of executions in the Kingdom to 46, by my count.
23 July 2009
Allah Pumps and Stilettos
I've heard of Jesus Boots. I've heard of Cajun Steel Toes. I've seen Cockroach Killers. But I've never heard of Allah Pumps and Stilettos.
It seems a womens shoe store in RAK (Ras Al Khaimah) is in trouble for selling shoes with the name of Allah printed on them. (I assume that it was NOT on the sole of the shoe) The shoes have been seized and a "huge fine" imposed by the Emirates Department of Economic Development, according to Gulf News.
The head of the Department of Economic Development said, "Article No. 10 of the Violations and Fines List stipulates that the department will punish and impose fines on all those who sell or display to the public products which directly violate the decency code or Islamic regulations. "
In related news in GN, Sharjah is arresting young men for the wearing of what we in the US call, Bling. Yes, fashion accessories on men is not acceptable under Sharia Law. And that includes silk. So beware, if you visit Sharjah wearing silver or gold and silk boxers, you could be arrested.
It seems a womens shoe store in RAK (Ras Al Khaimah) is in trouble for selling shoes with the name of Allah printed on them. (I assume that it was NOT on the sole of the shoe) The shoes have been seized and a "huge fine" imposed by the Emirates Department of Economic Development, according to Gulf News.
The head of the Department of Economic Development said, "Article No. 10 of the Violations and Fines List stipulates that the department will punish and impose fines on all those who sell or display to the public products which directly violate the decency code or Islamic regulations. "
In related news in GN, Sharjah is arresting young men for the wearing of what we in the US call, Bling. Yes, fashion accessories on men is not acceptable under Sharia Law. And that includes silk. So beware, if you visit Sharjah wearing silver or gold and silk boxers, you could be arrested.
01 July 2009
Head Count
KSA beheaded 6 people in the month of June. Four murderers and two child molesters. I now make the total to date to be 43 at the half way mark of the year.
Mohammud Kohail's case is still being kicked around by the Saudi courts. The Canadian government is also applying pressure to keep him away from the swordsman.
Mohammud Kohail's case is still being kicked around by the Saudi courts. The Canadian government is also applying pressure to keep him away from the swordsman.
25 June 2009
Free
Michael Joslin, the American that was incarcerated in Dubai for carrying a handgun in his checked baggage, was freed this week. There is no information concerning the reason why he was released although his Congressman and Senator Arlen Specter did have meetings with Dubai officials in Washington.
Needless to say, he won't be travelling through Dubai ever again.
I'm glad that he is back with his family. He was stupid to try to carry a handgun into Afghanistan and I don't condone his actions. But I think Dubai did the right thing and avoided a lot of bad press by deporting him. They should have done the same with the Brit adulterers and Sex on the Beach couple.
Needless to say, he won't be travelling through Dubai ever again.
I'm glad that he is back with his family. He was stupid to try to carry a handgun into Afghanistan and I don't condone his actions. But I think Dubai did the right thing and avoided a lot of bad press by deporting him. They should have done the same with the Brit adulterers and Sex on the Beach couple.
12 June 2009
Dummy!
It now appears that the American arrested for carry a gun in his luggage while transiting Dubai did it of his own volition against company policy.
While speaking from a pay phone that he operated through calling cards from weekly commissary trips at the Dubai Airport Deportation Center, Joslin said he was not aware that he needed to get approval for the weapon or the medication and never told EMW his intentions of bringing them.
“It was my decision,” the father of three said, calling EMW a “solid company.”
While the EMW attorney stated that the contract Joslin was scheduled to work in Afghanistan strictly prohibits contractor personnel from carrying firearms in theater, Joslin said he did not have a chance to read through his employee contract.
“I didn’t read my contract very thoroughly,” he said.
The guy is not the brightest bulb in the box, and he certainly can't blame anyone else for his troubles, but I still think Dubai should pack him on the next plane out and avoid weeks of possibly negative press.
Here's the article.
While speaking from a pay phone that he operated through calling cards from weekly commissary trips at the Dubai Airport Deportation Center, Joslin said he was not aware that he needed to get approval for the weapon or the medication and never told EMW his intentions of bringing them.
“It was my decision,” the father of three said, calling EMW a “solid company.”
While the EMW attorney stated that the contract Joslin was scheduled to work in Afghanistan strictly prohibits contractor personnel from carrying firearms in theater, Joslin said he did not have a chance to read through his employee contract.
“I didn’t read my contract very thoroughly,” he said.
The guy is not the brightest bulb in the box, and he certainly can't blame anyone else for his troubles, but I still think Dubai should pack him on the next plane out and avoid weeks of possibly negative press.
Here's the article.
11 June 2009
American in Dubai Jail
An American is being held in Dubai on weapons charges. He was on his way to Kabul with a layover in Dubai. He had a weapon and presciption pain pills in his checked luggage. The weapon was approved by his employer, EMW of Herndon, Va, and he had alerted Emirates Airlines to it. They, like most airlines, allow unloaded weapons in checked luggage. However, when he arrived in Dubai, he was arrested. There is a disconnect between the airline policy and Dubai's laws prohibiting weapons without express permission from the country. Emirates should have checked that he had permission before allowing the weapon, just like they have to confirm that you have a visa before boarding the plane.
He has since been fired by his employer, who in my opinion, should have better prepared him with information for the trip. If was to carry a weapon in Kabul, he should have been issued one there instead of having him carry one with him, regardless of airline policy. He also does not seem to be getting much help from the local American consulate.
I'm not claiming that this guy is completely innocent but he seems to have fallen between the diplomatic cracks. IMHO, Dubai would get better world press, if they just instantly deported people rather than incarcerating them. I'll see if I can follow up on his plight.
He has since been fired by his employer, who in my opinion, should have better prepared him with information for the trip. If was to carry a weapon in Kabul, he should have been issued one there instead of having him carry one with him, regardless of airline policy. He also does not seem to be getting much help from the local American consulate.
I'm not claiming that this guy is completely innocent but he seems to have fallen between the diplomatic cracks. IMHO, Dubai would get better world press, if they just instantly deported people rather than incarcerating them. I'll see if I can follow up on his plight.
05 June 2009
History, Rewritten Again
In BHO's speech from Cairo the other day he stated that a Muslim nation was the first to recognize the US in the Treaty of Tripoli.
What he neglected to say was that the treaty was made because the US had to make protection payments to the Barbary pirates to prevent them from hijacking our ships. (We didn't have a navy at the time so we were forced to pay tribute to the Muslims.) The treaty went south when the Pasha of Tripoli demanded an increase in payments to Thomas Jefferson. This led to the First Barbary War in 1801 and the inclusion of that "shores of Tripoli" line in the Marine Hymn.
BHO's choice of this particular piece of history seems ironic.
What he neglected to say was that the treaty was made because the US had to make protection payments to the Barbary pirates to prevent them from hijacking our ships. (We didn't have a navy at the time so we were forced to pay tribute to the Muslims.) The treaty went south when the Pasha of Tripoli demanded an increase in payments to Thomas Jefferson. This led to the First Barbary War in 1801 and the inclusion of that "shores of Tripoli" line in the Marine Hymn.
BHO's choice of this particular piece of history seems ironic.
04 June 2009
Mixed Messages
The entertainment news is all about Paris Hilton doing her reality show in Dubai. There's lots of excitement about Paris looking for a new BFF in Dubai. She's bringing her boyfriend and her entourage. Oh, joy!
Now, if I remember correctly, isn't co-habitation by non-married couples against the law in Dubai? And isn't this the same country that prosecutes people for having sex out of wedlock or in public places? Do you really think Paris and her boyfriend are going to sleep in separate rooms? Do you think she'll end up in jail?
What kind of message does it send to the world if on the one hand you claim to be an Islamic country while on the other you promote one of the biggest party whores in Hollywood?
Now, if I remember correctly, isn't co-habitation by non-married couples against the law in Dubai? And isn't this the same country that prosecutes people for having sex out of wedlock or in public places? Do you really think Paris and her boyfriend are going to sleep in separate rooms? Do you think she'll end up in jail?
What kind of message does it send to the world if on the one hand you claim to be an Islamic country while on the other you promote one of the biggest party whores in Hollywood?
01 June 2009
Head Count
KSA executed 10 people last month. Most of them were done in an orgy of executions during 2 days of the month. They were murderers and child rapists. This brings the total to 37 by my count.
Young Mohammud Kohail is accusing the Canadian government of knowing that his confession was coerced but ignoring it.
Young Mohammud Kohail is accusing the Canadian government of knowing that his confession was coerced but ignoring it.
22 May 2009
21 May 2009
Kohail Update
A letter written by Mohammud Kohail, the Canadian currently in a Saudi prison awaiting execution, to the Prime Minister of Canada has surfaced. In it he alleges that he was tortured in order to elicit a confession. The story and excerpts from the letter are here.
15 May 2009
What's in a Name?
The Dubai RTA is selling naming rights to its Metro stations. Gulf News has the story here.
Its difficult enough to find your way around Dubai what with all the confusing signage and Arabic names. One would think that a Metro station would be named for its geographical location. Hence, the Marina Station would be close to the Dubai Marina, Jebel Ali Station would be close to the Jebel Ali Port, and so on. How much sense does it make to say, take the red line to Intel Station, transfer to the green and get off at CNN Station?
Its difficult enough to find your way around Dubai what with all the confusing signage and Arabic names. One would think that a Metro station would be named for its geographical location. Hence, the Marina Station would be close to the Dubai Marina, Jebel Ali Station would be close to the Jebel Ali Port, and so on. How much sense does it make to say, take the red line to Intel Station, transfer to the green and get off at CNN Station?
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