Scottish court rejects UAE extradition request

A Scottish court rejected a UAE extradition request for a Scots businessman over fears he could be tortured.

The retired businessman, Gary Black, said that he was forced to leave the UAE for helping his daughter escape her troubled marriage there.

He lived for five years in the Gulf state to support his daughter, Sharon Black, 42, when her marriage to an Emirati man became unbearable.

He left his whole life behind, including his business, when he left in October 2010 to help his daughter escape the violent marriage.

However, after Ms Black decided to return to Scotland with the couple’s daughter, Alya, eight, Mr Al Mehri allegedly fabricated the breach of trust charges to force his wife and child back to the Emirates.

He was accused of “breach of trust” in the case filed by his former son-in-law, Saeed Al Mehri, 45, after his daughter fled the marriage.

The UAE reported the case to Interpol and since 2013 has been seeking Mr Black’s extradition.

In the Edinburgh court Sheriff Thomas Welsh said that there was a risk he could face torture. Mr Black, now 64, would face 12 months in prison had he been extradited.

After the hearing Mr Black said: “I am feeling great and very relieved. It was a very strong judgment against the extradition from the sheriff.”

It is believed to be the first attempted extradition to the UAE from Scotland.

Source: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/scotland/court-rejects-uae-revenge-ex...