Article Author:
Reuters
Alexander Cornwell
DUBAI — U.S. citizen and civil rights attorney Asim Gafoor has appealed his money laundering conviction to a United Arab Emirates court, he said. 's attorney said a week ago Friday after he was released from custody there and returned to the United States.
Mr. Ghafoor, who has claimed innocence, was released last week after paying a fine and an Abu Dhabi court upheld his money laundering conviction and vacated his prison sentence.
"We appealed today," lawyer Habib Al Mulla told Reuters.
UAE officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the appeal.
The UAE detained Gahoor while transiting Dubai airport in July after he was found guilty of money laundering and tax evasion in absentia. UAE officials later said they had received a request for help from US officials in 2020. Ghafour's supporters say they were unaware of the charges until he was detained at the airport.
US officials have not confirmed the request, but say the emirate detained Gahoor of its own free will.
After Gahoor was detained, UAE officials said an investigation found he had illegally moved at least $4.9 million of him through the UAE's banking system. Told. A court in Abu Dhabi upheld the conviction and ordered the confiscation of funds.
Ghafour's supporters and U.S. lawmakers say Ghafour was denied due process, and the arrest led to the journalist, who was killed by Saudi agents in 2018. suggested it may be related to his work with Mr. Jamal Khashoggi. A group critical of the United Arab Emirates.
US intelligence agencies say Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman authorized the operation in which Khashoggi was killed. The crown prince denies his involvement. Saudi Arabia and the UAE are close allies.
The timing of Gahoor's detention last month during a visit to the region by US President Joe Biden also drew criticism from some members of the US Congress.
Emirati officials have repeatedly said the case against Gahoor is strictly about financial crimes and due process has been given since he was detained at Dubai airport. (Reporting by Alexander Cornwell; Editing by Francis Kelly)
