‘Tell them we're happy to look into it but we do not get involved in legal eases. ‘From: HELAwad@uacembassy-usa.0rg ‘To: otaiba7@hotmailcom cc: ‘Date: Wed, 17 Jul 2013 16:49:51 -0400 Subject: Minnesota constituent case: Shezzane Cassim Amiassador- know you have lot on your plate but wanted to FYI about the letter we received addressed to you, signed by Senators Franken and Klobuchar (ironically the one who co-signed the Senate preclearance letter) aiong with two other representatives of the Minnesota delegation just asking for any info on the ease. ‘This individual, Shezzane Cassim, is a Minnesota constituent who was arrested in AD for posting & video on YouTube. Are you willing to inquire about the status of his case or should [tell them we cannot get involved? ‘Thank you, a From: Burton, Brian (Kobuchar {malto:frian_Buton@Xobucharsenate.gou) ‘Sent: Friday, Juy 12, 2013 5:48 PM ‘To: HagirElowad; Betsy Sift ‘Subject: RE: Mr Snezzane Cassim Hii Hagir and Betsy, Please find attached ¢ letter to Ambassador al-Otaiba from Senator Klobuchar and Franken and Representatives ‘McCollum and Nolan regarding Mr. Cassim. Appreciate aay help you can offer! Best, Brian Brian M. Burton Deputy Legislative Director Ofiice of Senator Amy Klobuchar 302 Hart Senate Office Building 202.204.3244‘Ambassador, Based on the information in the transcript, we believe that two of the reporters involved in this Q/A with the ‘State Dept. spokesperson were reporter Matt Lee of Associated Press and Jo Biddle, State Dept. Correspondent for AFP. ‘These may be the only two reporters, or there could be others who asked one or two of the many questions, but we can verify this when we access the video, which has not been released just yet. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thank you, Seth Original Message—-- From: Yousef Al Otaiba [maillo: Sent: Thursday, January 09, 2014 5:31 PM To: Matthew Triaca, ‘Subject: Re: State Dept. Briefing - UAE Discussion on Cassim, etc. Find out who is this reporter. Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T Original Message—- - Ce: ; ; « ‘Subject: FW: State Dept. Briefing - UAE Discussion on Cassim, ete. FYI‘Seth and | are on it and will get back to you ASAP. Original Message-—- From: Youset Al Otaiba [maitto:otaipa7@hotmail.com] ‘Sont: Thursday, January 09, 2014 5:31 PM To: Matthew Triaca ‘Subject: Re: State Dept. Briefing - UAE Discussion on Cassim, etc. Find out who is this reporter. ‘Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T -=~-Original Message-—- From: Matthew Triaca Date: Thu, 9 Jan 2014 22:26:48 ‘To: ; ; ; Ce: ; ; ‘Subject: FW: State Dept. Briafing - UAE Discussion on Cassim, otc. FYI From: Seth Horwitz ‘Sont: Thursday, January 09, 2014 5:25 PM ‘To: Richard Mintz; Matthew Triaca; Richard Marcus; Sarah Alaoui; Amara El-Haj; Tara Chandra ‘Subject: State Dept. Briefing - UAE Discussion on Cassim, etc. ‘See below transcript excerpt from today's State Dept. briefing ~ Q8A on Cassim case and UAE National security lawifreedom of - (01/09/2014 03:30 PM EST Jen Psaki ‘Spokesperson Daily Press Briefing Washington, DC January 9, 2014{UESTION: An that was just you ha - | understand that his American who had been arrested in UAE is on hs way home now IMS. PSAKI: Mm-tm, QUESTION: = maybe has already aved. Do you have anything t say about hat? MS. PSAKI: can confrm that he has departed the UAE. He departed on January 9th, wich stoday, aftr soning his sontonce and Deing deported. The =| lso wanted to note while I dont have an update on his exact atval or travel plans given eis a private lize, we cd vist wah him, we vised with him regula, ofcourse, Including as rcerty as yesterday morning. So | can confirm ‘hat he was -he has been dopored ‘QUESTION: Okay. But mean, i ths welcome development? MS. PSAKI: Certain, absolialy Ae you know, weve consltentyralsad this Issue about his aest and val special wih UAE. offlals, We have continuously pressed for a fair and expediont resolution, as we were deoply concemed by the verdict. As you know, and justo give some otters some history who mayoe haven” olowed iis as closely, he was sentenced i one yearn son, fine, and deporation. He was I confmed the deportation piece of it But abviousy, Ts a welcome development ‘QUESTION: Al right: And s0 do you belove that this was afi and expedient resolution fo his case? 'MS. PSAKI: We, | would say thal. Coviousy, we expressed concerns about he fact hat he was arested to begin with, but obviously, wee ploased thats been resolved ‘QUESTION: Okay. {QUESTION: But do you know what happened 10 there were some cther people who were UAE natonas,Ibeteve. MS. PSAKI Mr, QUESTION: Do you know what's happened to them? Are they sin court? Are they rs in jl? Soy [MS. PSAKI: We Understand that some defendants have played - may have played diferent oes inthe production ofthe veo. | ‘ontnave any other updates on them. Im happy to cack and sea If thre {QUESTION: How much does tis case factor into your discussions wih the UAE about is relorm process and reo speoch and political - being able to nave apoltical dialogue in the county? I mean, presumably these are issues in your Gilogue withthe UAE and IMS. PSAKI: Sure. And we havo, a5 | us Noted, repeatedly ralsod this spooic case, as wol as any other case, whore appcable, wah the UAE As you know, anywhere around the word, incuding in cscussions withthe UAE, we express any concerns we have Wwnen we don fea tha reedom of medi, ttoedem of speech, freadom of expression is being respociod. And we crtalnly hea signitcant concer about the arrest to bogin with, so we expressed thosa consistent through the process. QUESTION: So that would mean that you have concerns about tis national secu law, for instance, that ary type of mada tha tillzes the government ia kindof notin accordance with tha ideas ofa free press anda trea pottal socley? IMS. PSAKI: Gein. And anywhere in the world, as you know, wen thee are actions that are taken, wheter thats lgilation or arrests at init reecom of mecia ard freedom a expression, we conssienly express our cancer. ‘QUESTION: But you dh express your Concern about this unl today MS. PSAKI: About tis speciic case or {QUESTION: About this rational securty law and whether this video «I mean tsourds now that you feel abit freer now that he's ‘ene. IMS. PSAKI: | dont have anything more spectealy onthe law and I don't have the dota ofthe law, 601 have to check with our ‘eam on that. But in goneral was the point | was making about how we express concems as they come about. QUESTION: And cd you have any and Justo go back ithe otis who were detained with tha young guy, do you have concame About hor dotention an thor arrests anc thot cnargos? [MS_PSAKI- Jo, dant have any mare detain ts lt me check wth our team and sae i here's more we can express cn hat, QUESTION: itncul just seam hat and they wore all arosted around the same thing MS. PSAKI Sur, ‘QUESTION: ~chargec wi the same sor of thing. MS. PSAKI: Men, ‘QUESTION: So even though thoyre not American nationals, | would Imagine that your concer might extond to them 10. [MS. PSAKI: Wel, certainly, wave expressed on many occasions concerns we have broadly, whether theyre American ciizens or ‘ot, even when Fey'e czas of he Indviual country, which ist applcable here. But when there ar efor io lit reedom of ‘pooch and treotom of expression, that would certainly be te case hore. Cbviousy, someone's not an American citzon, we \woulent be as knowledgeable about the deta of thei arrestor tei events or what was Mappering wih tel cases. ‘QUESTION: Jen? MS. PSAKI: Minh. QUESTION: Im just wondering what's your understanding of hs elease or whatever, deportec? mean, the charges wece dropped Corte case was dropped, oF ifs just Ike an - exempted trom being punished? IMS. PSAKI-All tne deta Ihave Is that afr serving his sentonc, he's boon deported. Boyond that, | dont have any other dotals| tthe logal sis. [QUESTION: 50 he's not - you dont know it he is going to be on tal agaln ox he has to be on Wal again later or whatever? MS. PSAKI: | don’ have any more dotals omer than what Ive sharod on this spootie easeYousetAlouibe & bene Secor . an”) T'll speak with Sh. Seif but perhaps you can speak to someone senior in MOI as well, that might, make things move more quickly. Subject: Re Cassim case Thu, 2 Jan 2014 14:17:01 +0400 gov Yousef: Happy New Year! Hope all is well. We are at crunch point on the Cassim case. We thought Prison he is held at would receive word from MOI today on the 9 month discount for time served. That hasn't happened and that makes January 7 deportation very hard. It seems this is a process issue now--no need for a high level intervention, just someone to ask MOI to act swifily so the deportation can go ahead. | am working to ask for MO! help... Anything you can do? Thanks. Michael Michael H. Corbin U.S. Ambassador fo the United Arab Emirates Abu Dhabi email: corbinmbOstate.gov oft. hs (971) 2-814-2431‘Subject: Re: Cassim case From: amyk#25@gmail.com. Date: Wed, 25 Dec 2013 10:09:20 -0600 ‘To: otalba@hotmall. com Me, Ambassador ‘Thank you for speaking to the Crown Prince. | am always working (incucing~1o the chagrin of my family ~-on Christmas) soit is fine to email me or call me any time. Given that the Emirates got shorter sentences, | would hope that would strengthen the case for deporting Mr. assim immediately While | rly appreciate your work on this and your understanding of his plight given the facts, | continue to be shocked that he is. sill jal. As a former prosecutor | always believed my job was not just o punish and keep people in jal but instead to be a “minister of justice." Despite the cultural ferences between our counties, and the different laws and secur challanges, this situation for this young man is just not just. | believe your country has reached a place on the world stage where these things ‘matter even if they were acceptable in the past. That isthe case | hope you can make. | would stil ke to tak about this, ! am avaliable by phone at any time. | would also ke to meet as soon as possible. We talked about meeting weeks ago and I can come to the Embassy or meet at any time. | will be back in DC on Monday Jan 30th if you are there then and then in NYC for the next few days i that works by chance: and then in DC on Jan 6 for that entire week although | truly hope he would be out by then. | also discussed this with Secretary Kerry a few waoks back and wil be raising it with others throughout next week. I itis ok for the Rolling Stones to pay in Dubal as wil happen very soon... Mick Jagger and al. do not get this tall, but that is for another day. Thank you. Sent from my iPhone (On Dec 25, 2019, at 6:18 AM, "Yousef Al Oiaiba * > wrote: ‘Senator, ‘Sorry o bother you on christmas day but | wanted to report that | spoke directly with the crown prinoe lastnight and conveyed your request He promised to look into the legal aspects of releasing/deporting Cassim. But he also said it willbe dtficult given there multiple Individuals involved. However, ne sald will do everything he can. | will stay in touch with you i have any updates.-—~Original Message——— From: Amy Klobuchar > Date: Mon, 23 Dec 2013 14:59:49 Te coubay@hotnal Otabe7@hotmal . Subject: Cassim case Mr. Ambassador Can you please call me regarding the court case this morning, | would really appreciate it. There is confusion. It appears he will get credit for time served. Is there a way to get him deported right away? This is all extremely concerning if he has to stay in jail until April or longer. Thank you. Amy Kiobuchar Sent from my iPadYoure Ota stout ioe ° wilde. Inthe meantime, ty to enjoy some downtime with the family =) ‘Sent via BlackBerry by ATT Original Message——- From: Amy Klobuchar Date: Thu, 28 Dec 2013 16:30:29, ‘To: Subject: Re: Cassim case ‘Thank you. | do understand but the facts are so odd and the sentence so long... One of the emirates was released today. Let me know if there are updates. ‘Sent from my Pad (On Dec 26, 2013, at 8:15 AM, Yousot Al Otaiba > wrote: Senator, | assure you thats precisely the case I am making and it does have merit. So I think there is @ chance we can get him released. However, forthe sake of ful disclosure, | say its diffeut given that | dont fully understand the legal intricacies ofthe case andthe prosecution. ‘We are all doing our best 1o make this argument tothe leadership and well continue to d0 0. "be back the week of anuary 6th and Il personally come to See you in your office. | thing this is defintely worthy of a longer conversation. | understand your views and your relentess efforts to work on behalf of your Constituents but! hope I can help explain what our region and more specticaly our country have been going through since the beginning ofthe arab spring, Bottom line senator, i that | promise to keep working on ths issue tothe extent | can be help. Please note that ambassador Corbin s also doing the same in abu dh Look forward 0 seeing you in person.ret 0 shame Coin ees “@ Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T Original Message-—- From: Richard Mintz Date: Mon, 16 Dec 2013 22:32:13 To: Subject: RE: CNN NEW DAY: Shezanne Cassim Melissa, ‘Thank you for the heads up. At this point, | have no new guidance from the Embassy. Rich : Glalmo, Melissa [mailto:Melissa.Giaimo@tumer.com] Sent: Monday, December 16, 2013 1:44 PM To: Richard Mintz Subject: RE: CNN NEW DAY: Shezanne Cassim Hi Richard, | just reached out to Shamma in the UAE Embassy, but keeping you advised while | wait to hear back. ‘We're updating our viewers on Mr. Shezanne Cassim's case in a segment on NEW DAY tomorrow. Given that adjudication has been delayed, I'm writing to renew our request for an interview with the Ambassador or ‘another UAE official. Do you think anyone will be willing to join us for an on-camera interview? If not, then can the UAE government provide a statement? Here's CNN correspondent Sara Sicner's latest reporting today: http:/edition. cnn, comWvideo/data/2.O/videorbestoftv/2013/12/1 6/ewday-sidner-american-jailed uuae.cnn.html.We have a statement from Mr. Cassim's family and would lke to represent the position of the UAE in our reporting US. Family Painfully Disappointed by UAE Government Refusal to Release their Son and Brother Day 253 of Imprisonment for amateur filmmaker Shezanne "Shez" Cassim MINNEAPOLIS-Shezanne "Shez" Cassim, the American incarcerated in the United Arab Emirates, for uploading a satirical sketch comedy to the Internet, will remain in an Abu Dhabi maximum security prison for the foreseeable future. A judgment in the case has been postponed for the sixth time. ‘Shez Cassim of Woodbury, Minn., has been detained in the United Arab Emirates since April 7, 2013. date for posting an amateur comedy video on YouTube in 2012. For posting the comedy skeich, Cassim has been ‘accused of endangering the U.A.E.'s national security under a federal "Cyber Crimes Lav." Its possible assim is being held on additional charges but prosecutors in the UAE will not confirm the charges. After a court appearance on September 30, Shez was informed that a final judgment would be issued on October 26. ‘The judgment was postponed on that date and has been postponed five more times since then as the judge waited for Dubai Police to translate the video into Arabic. The judge only requested that the video be translated on November 14, over seven months into Cassim's detention. The court has now received the translation, but judgment has again been postponed. ‘This is the sixth consecutive postponement ofa final judgment. Another court appearance has been scheduled for December 23, 2013. "We cannot tell you how much heartache our family feels every day," said She2's brother Shervon Cassim of Durham, N.C. "We were hoping that since the cour finally got a translation ofthe video that the court would ‘see the video is fctional-as it says on the intial screen shot. But now we are in wait-and-see mode again and ‘Shez won't be home for Christmas, which has been our mother's prayer.” ‘The UAE Court could find Shezanne Cassim not guilty and release him next week or rule he's guilty and release him with time served. The Court could also find guilty and sentence Shez to an unspecified amount (of additional jail time. Ifthe judge actually issues a judgement on December 23rd Shez will have served 260 days-for making a satirical comedy video and uploading it to YouTube.com. ‘On the night of April 7, Cassim was asked to report to Dubai Police Headquarters and he was detained. Within 12 hours he had been questioned, fingerprinted and made to sign a statement written in Arabic-which fhe couldn't read-and had beon denied an attorney. Atno time was Cassim made aware that he had been arrested, nor was he ever advised of his rights. Cassim's case has since been transferred to the federal State Security Court, and he is now in a maximum- ‘Security prison in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. For posting the comedy skelch, Cassim hhas been accused of endangering the U.A.E.'s national security under a federal "Cyber Crimes Law." The video that caused the issue is a satirical comedy called "Satwa Combat Schoo!” set in the Satwa cistrict (of Dubai. In the 1990s, Dubai teenagers coined the term "Satwa Gs" to describe people in their age group who had adopted hip-hop fashion and listened to rap music. These "gangstas" were known for their decidedly mild behavior and were seen as the total opposite of actual criminals, The fictional training depicted in the video teaches techniques that include the best way to throw a sandal at a newspaper and, ultimately, how to use the mobile phone when in trouble. That's the extent of the "Satwa Gs" combat. The Will Ferrell and Adam McKay comedy website wun funnyordie.com last week launched a campaign for the comedy ‘community in support of Shez. The organization's #FreeShez video was released on December 10th, which is U.N, Human Rights Day. Funny or Die is also selling #FreeShez t-shirts, proceeds of which go to the Free Shezanne Cassim Fund. -30- Kind Regards, MelissaOmar and Dima, ‘We will issue the statement below for any further media inquiries on the Shezanne Cassim case. "The United Arab Emirates is aware of the high level of media interest in the trial of Mr. Shezanne Cassim. As Mr. Cassim's case is currently before the courts, and given the importance of preserving the independence of the judicial process, it would not be appropriate for ‘the UAE Government to comment on the substance of the case at this stage. However, it is possible to clarify certain points about the judicial process. Mr. Cassim was charged under the UAE's Penal Code. There have been several court hearings held in this trial between September and November, which were open to observers including the U.S. Embassy in ‘the UAE. The next hearing is scheduled for 16 December. Anyone charged with a crime under the laws of the UAE is entitled to the fair trial protections contained in the UAE's Constitution, including trial before the UAE's independent judiciary. It is therefore imperative that the proper judicial process be allowed to run its course."> On Dec 7, 2013, at 1:21, "Amna Ali Al Muhairy" -> wrote: > > Dear Dr. Anwar, > > Please find below the draft statement we prepared after consulting with the relevant individuals in MoFA, the Ministry of Justice, and Simon Pearce. > > We suggest that it be used in response to the media inquiries that have been coming to our Embassy in DC and Mission in NY. > > Please let me know if you would like further edits to the below. > > Best regards, > Amna > > > "The United Arab Emirates is aware of the high level of media interest in the tril of Mr. Shezanne Cassim. AS Mr. Cassim's case is currently before the courts, and given the importance of preserving the independence of the judicial process, it would not be appropriate for the UAE Government to comment on the substance of the case at this stage. > > However, itis possible to clarify certain points about the judicial process. Mr. Cassim was charged under the UAE's Penal Code. There have been several court hearings held inthis trial between September and November, ‘which were open to observers including the U.S, Embassy in the UAE. The next hearing is scheduled for 16 December. > > Anyone charged with a crime under the laws of the UAE is entitled to the fair trial protections contained in the UAE's Constitution, including trial before the UAE's independent judiciary Itis therefore imperative thatthe proper judicial process be allowed to run its course.” >> From: Anwar Gargash > > Date: December 7, 2013 at 12:21:57 PM GMT+4 >To: Amna Ali Al Muhairy > > Subject: Re: Statement on Cassim > > Dear Amna > Let us go ahead and issue it asa statement from our embassy I Washington. Kindly arrange with ambassador Al Otsiba. > Regards > Anwar Gargash > > Sent from my iPad > >On Dec 7, 2013, at 1:21,"Ammna Ali Al Mubairy" > wrote: > > Dear Dr. Anwar, > > Please find below the draft statement we prepared after consulting with the relevant individuals in MoFA, the Ministry of Justice, and Simon Pearce. > > We suggest that it be used in response to the media inquiries that have been coming to our Embassy in DC and Mission in NY . > > Please let me know if you would like further edits to the below. > > Best regards, > AmnaYuet Oba sous = @ Amna, ‘We will use the statement when there is a media inquiry, no need to post the statement to the site as many people are either unaware or simply not interested. Yousef > From: a.almufairy@mofa gov.ze > To: otaiba7 @hotmail.com johnvonkaufinann@ gma com > Subject: Fwd: Statement on Cassim. > Date: Sat, 7 Dec 2013 09:09:53 +0000 > > You Excellency, > > Please find below Dr. Anwar's response regarding the statement on Cassim's case. He instructed for it to be issued by the Embassy in DC. > > We leave it to you, but it might be a good idea to post it on the Embassy's website so any future inquiries can be directed toit. > > Please let me know if we can assist in any way. > > Best, > Amma > > Sent from my iPhone > > Begin forwarded message:ea ter nay UAE pent catin nena women @ We dont comment on legal proceedings. Sent via BlackBerry by ATAT Original Mossage-—~ From: Richars Mintz Date: Wed, 4 Dec 2013 04:28:38 Fy ‘Sent from my iPad Boghn forwarded message From: Matthew Triaca > Date: December 3, 2019 at 7:25:58 PM EST ‘To: Omar Al Shamsi , Shamma Alhosani ->, Oma Alfanam cjalfaham@ useembassy-usa.org ‘ > (Co: Richard Mintz chard mintz@narbourotp com >, Seth Horwitz - Subject: NY Times inqury - UAE/Shezanne Gassim | Teceived a eal today rom Ben Hubbard, reporter wit he NY Times. Ben is working on a story about Shezanne Cassim, the American who was detained with fou of his friends in the UAE last April for a ‘ideo they made spocting Dubal youth culture. Press stories say Shezanne ls boing ted under the UAE's cyberorimes law. ‘The reporier Is asking i tne UAE Embassy has a statement or comment, o there Isa UAE oficial wth whom he could speak about this situation, Does tha Embassy have any guidance on this matter, or can we direct tha reporter to a UAE oficial for comment? Please atvise how you would lke to proceed. Bons contact info fs pasted below (he is based in Beirut), MattSubject: Fw: Cassim non-paper.doc Date: Mon, 14 Oct 2013 11:50:02 +0400, From: CorbinMH@state.gov To: otaiba7@hotmail.com Per dlacusslon, Thanks and let mo know tare ae any questions, Michael ‘missscor Michael Corbi, US Embassy Abu Dhabi, UAE3:36 AM (GMT-05:00) ‘To: Saud Al Nowais ,Talal Kaissi Subject: Conversations with US business executive about his imprisoned son = Me. Sanath Gascim and his son Shezanne Cassin Hello Saudi and Talal - | hope that you have had a superb weekend, ‘A matter involving a US citizen arrested in Dubai that has crossed my desk a few months has resurlaced. And it may be heating up now into a media spectacle perhaps. See below and attached. ‘Two days ago in Dubai | met with Mr. Sanath Cassim, a US citizen based in Minnesota but who worked in the UAE for decades. Ihave heard about his son's case on and off over the past few months, The son has been in jal for months to 'e prosecuted on State Security charges for making a really stupid, badly produced, YouTube comedy video that tried to be funny like Jon Stewart. (The links are actually below --| think | may nave even e-mailed you about this weeks ago?) ‘The family has been waiting for the state security court trial to work its course, and I know that is how the US Embassy in ‘Abu Dhabi has advised them - that is my advice as well. DLAis representing the family forthe criminal proceedings, ‘The next evidentiary hearing is on the 30th of September. Now it seems that the father is considering high profile media campaign. With Expo 2020 in its final stages of the campaign, | would hate for ths to start trending on Twitter, and allowing all ofthe typical haters to start an anti-UAE public relations smear campaign. yes but have counseled the family not o act. | don't know how long my advice will win out. Perhaps you can print this out and put this in front of the Ambassador for advice please. Frankly, no US ctizen in the UAE cares more about the reputation of the country than | do, and | have a feeling that this may spiral now out of control Let me know your advice please. ‘Thanks. All the best - John John L. Habib Managing Director & Legal Counsel MENA. Bridge Advisors, LLC. International Legal and Business Consultancy ServicesFy ‘Maybe this can get resolved in-house since its state security. Get t7? =) ‘Sont via BlackBerry by ATAT Original Message From: Saud Al Nowais Date: Mon, 23 Sep 2013 20:48:42 {p:lotard mia @herboworn com>; icinad @useombasy-u p> Go: ; ‘Sect: Fe: Cowersatone wih US business executive about his imprisoned ‘son ~- Mr. Sanath Cassim and his son Shezanne Cassim Fyibelow. Richard please keep an eye on the below iss Hager, in case this reaches the gertiman's congressional representative, ‘Sont via the Samsung GALAXY ST4, an ATAT 4G LTE smartphone