Joe Sarlak
Joseph Sarlak is detained in the desert state of Qatar after being invited to develop an airport hanger for the government. “This would turn out to be the biggest mistake of his life,” said Radha Stirling, founder of Detained in Dubai and the Gulf in Justice Podcast who is representing Mr Sarlak.
Australian government slammed for buckling to Qatar royals who “consider us infidels"
“Joe has been unfairly and arbitrarily detained in Doha for a number of years after his local business sponsor, a member of the royal family, secretly embezzled funds from Joe’s company, causing cheques that he had written to bounce. Joe was sent to a hellhole prison under the country’s strict laws that criminalise bounced cheques. Joe is still stuck in the country, with vexatious actions being taken against him. For example, his name was added to a company while he was in prison, without his knowledge or permission, just to keep him in the country. There is a pattern of legal abuse against foreign nationals by members of the ruling elite. Ranald Crook, who is also in his 70’s, similarly has a number of vexatious cases against him that are entirely without legal merit. In both cases, we can see the foreigners being victimised by local, influential Qataris who clearly have no qualms about traumatising these poor men." Radha Stirling, CEO and founder of Detained in Dubai
"They are more than happy to call out Qatar over the strip search of Australian female passengers, but seemingly can not be bothered to even contact their diplomatic counterparts in the Qatar for this 70 year old grandfather with failing health."
"It is the responsibility of the Australian Foreign Minister, Marise Payne, and the Ambassador, Jonathan Muir to protect Mr Joseph Sarlak from abuse in a foreign nation, a nation who is purportedly an ally of our country."
“The harassment, the persecution, and the imprisonment of Joe Sarlak is preposterous and the only thing worse than Qatar’s assault on an innocent grandfather, is Australia’s senseless unwillingness to object. If Australia can stand up for Matt Joyce and Marcus Lee during their UAE ordeal, Kylie Moore Gilbert in Iran, and Hakeem Alaraibi in Thailand, what excuse do they have for ignoring Joe?"