Emirati mistaken for Daesh man in US says he will stay to sue police

An Emirati businessman briefly arrested and manhandled by the US police after he was mistaken for a Daesh member because of his national dress has thanked the UAE leaders for their support during this plight.

Ahmed Al Minhali said he would stay in the United States to follow up legal measures against the US police after appointing an American lawyer in the case.

He said he has received only verbal apology from the mayor of Ohio, where he was assaulted by the police after he was randomly reported by a hotel receptionist.

“I would like to express my gratitude to the UAE leadership for its honorable position and support for me in this problem from the first moment,” he told ‘Al Bayan’ daily.

He also thanked the UAE foreign ministry for supporting him and following up his case, adding that he would pursue legal measures against Ohio police for violating human rights through the use of excessive force against him.

“I have received only verbal apology from Ohio mayor during a press conference. In such cases, he is supposed to send me a written apology, which did not happen.”

Minhali said the problem had caused him a psychological trauma and that he has been suffering from insomnia because of nightmares.

In its reaction to the case, the Emirates Human Right Society condemned the US police for their “unjustified” assault against the UAE citizen.

“The US police just reacted to a report by a hotel receptionist suspecting the Emirati man as a terrorists because of his national dress and Arabic language. The Society, while denouncing terrorism in all its forms, affirms that this act by the US police is unwarranted and that the national dress is a source of pride for all citizens as it is a basic part of their identity and culture.

“Defaming this dress and branding it as a sign of terrorism is a big insult to the UAE citizens and their dignity.”

MoFAIC summons US Deputy Chief of Mission

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC) has summoned the US Deputy Chief of Mission Ethan Goldrich over the case of ill-treatment meted out by the Ohio Police to an Emirati citizen.

Rawda Al Otaiba, Director of American Affairs at the MoFAIC, expressed dismay at the brutal way with which Ohio Police treated the Emirati citizen.

The police arrested and searched the Emirati citizen and further defamed him by publishing footage of the incident.

The US Deputy Chief of Mission apologised for the incident and affirmed that the embassy will be in contact with the concerned authorities in the State of Ohio to clarify the matter.

He emphasised that the United States respects the right of different nations to wear their national dress, adding that this incident was an exception which was totally unacceptable.

He also promised to reply to the MoFAIC as soon as possible.

UAE Embassy in Washington issues statement

The UAE embassy in Washington has issued the following statement:

Since learning of the regrettable situation that took place in Avon, Ohio last week, the UAE Embassy has been in close contact with Mr. Al Menhali and his family.

Ambassador Al Otaiba discussed the situation with Avon's Mayor, and urged a swift apology and response from all of those involved, including the local police.

Mayor Jensen and Avon's Police Chief subsequently met with Mr. Al Menhali  to apologise for the incident.

Ambassador Al Otaiba also asked Mayor Jensen to take appropriate steps to ensure a similar incident does not happen again.

Emirati in US for treatment mistaken for Daesh member

A 41-year-old Emirati businessman on a medical treatment trip to the US was briefly arrested and manhandled by the police after he was mistaken for a member of Daesh terror movement, a UAE newspaper reported on Sunday.

Ahmed Al Minhali said a hotel female receptionist in Ohio phoned the police after she mistook him for a Daesh member because of his dishdasha (Arabian gown).

He told the Arabic language daily 'Emarat Al Youm' that he has been in the US since April and that he has already undergone an operation following a stroke.

He said that he was in the hotel lobby when several policemen arrived and shouted at him to lie down, adding that he was handcuffed and manhandled.

“I was really surprised when I saw the police men with their weapons storming the hotel. I thought they were there for training, or there for another case, but they all looked at me and shouted to me to lie down,” he said.

“They pushed me down and one of them pressed on my back with full force. I suffered from back injuries and was admitted to hospital for treatment.”

He said that the cops also threw away his mobile phone without telling him why they were doing this to him, adding that they later let him go.

“They left me after making sure I do not have any weapons.

"I then fainted and I remember that I woke up in hospital,” he said.

“I have been in the US with my wife since April for treatment. I have always worn my national costume through my travels but I have never been through such a situation.”

Minhali said he had contacted the UAE ambassador in the US to discuss legal procedures against that hotel and Ohio police.

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