Canadian Alaradi family celebrates one year since the acquittal of their father

In August 2014 Canadian Salim Alaradi was abducted by United Arab Emirates State Security personnel and subjected to enforced disappearance, solitary confinement and torture in a secret prison before being transferred and arbitrarily detained in the Abu Dhabi’s AlWathba prison for a total of 642 days.

Salim’s family campaigned for his freedom which gave rise to a global call for his innocence.

UAE State Security fabricated charges, coerced confessions and filed for prosecution of terrorism crimes. Salim’s trial was tainted with serious due process and human rights violations and was condemned by the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers, and the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and numerous other human rights groups and legal experts from around the world denounced the trial and called for his release. The Canadian government intervened and called for due process.

After the solid defence of his legal team, the UAE Supreme Court acquitted Salim of all charges on May 30th 2016.

Since Salim’s reunification with his loved ones he and his family have been coping with this difficult experience. In addition to spending time with his wife and children, Salim has been receiving regular medical assistance and has been actively working to rebuild their family business.

With the passing of one year, Salim’s family is overwhelmed with gratitude to thousands of friends, supporters, activists, lawyers, and politicians for making his freedom possible.

“I will forever remember those who stood by me and my family. I will always be grateful for everyone’s courage to remain committed to my innocence until I was granted my freedom by the UAE Supreme Court.” Salim Alaradi said.

As the family looks back at the pain they lived through their hearts and prayers go out to every family in world who suffers today from injustice and to those arbitrarily detained in the UAE and elsewhere. The family prays for Mr. Ahmed Mansoor, a world-renowned human rights defender, who has been arbitrarily detained in solitary confinement by the United Arab Emirates.

Source: http://www.libyanexpress.com/canadian-alaradi-family-celebrates-one-year...