Turkish Arrest of Emirati Dissident Sparks International Concern: The Case of Jasim Rashid Al Shamsi
Watan-Sources revealed the arrest of the Emirati dissident and former Emirati official Jasim Rashid Al Shamsi, along with his family, at Dalaman Airport in Turkey.
Human rights accounts on the “Ex” platform broadcasted a video recording showing Jasim Al Shamsi, former Assistant Undersecretary of the UAE Ministry of Finance, talking about his arrest with his family while heading to the mentioned airport, where he intended to travel outside Turkey.
This video clip was widely circulated on social media amid great concern about Al Shamsi’s extradition by Turkish authorities to the UAE, based on his name being on the Interpol Blue Notice.
Details of Jasim Al Shamsi’s arrest in Turkey
Turkish authorities detained the Emirati dissident Jasim Al Shamsi and arrested him and his family at Dalaman Airport on Saturday, March 2nd, allegedly due to his name being on the Interpol list, according to the human rights sources that reported the news.
#الامارات71 | #عاجل | 🇦🇪
نشطاء يؤكدون اعتقال الناشط #جاسم_راشد_الشامسي في مطار دالامان ب #تركيا، هو وأسرته، وسط تخوف كبير بترحيله إلى #الإمارات بناءً على وجود اسمه على نشرة الانتربول الزرقاء pic.twitter.com/PmsiQfvxCy
— الإمارات71 (@UAE71news) March 3, 2024
According to information from Al Shamsi’s account on the “Ex” platform, he has been residing in Turkey for years, specifically in Istanbul.
His last tweet on the account was on February 11th, in which he stated: “There are no disputes among the Egyptian military as usual. There is playing roles, coordination, and betrayal!! Gaza.”
ليس هناك خلافات بين عسكر #مصر كالعادة هناك لعب أدوار وتنسيق وخيانه!! #غزة
— جاسم راشد الشامسي (@jalshamsi777) February 11, 2024
In the widely circulated video clip, the Emirati dissident appealed to human rights organizations worldwide to stand in solidarity with his arrest case and support him, fearing extradition to the UAE.
Al Shamsi also expressed his hope, as reported by (Watan), that the Turkish authorities would release him and his family and allow them to travel outside the country.
Similar incident involving Khalaf Al Remeithi a year ago
It is worth mentioning that this incident – the Turkish authorities’ arrest of Al Shamsi – comes less than a year after the case of extraditing the Emirati businessman Dr. Khalaf Al Remeithi, who had been living in Turkey for the past decade.
This happened to Al Remeithi after he flew to Jordan in May 2023, searching for a school for his children. Upon his arrival at the airport, he was detained by airport security officials, and Abu Dhabi later announced his extradition from Jordan without any trial or legal procedures.
The Emirati dissident Jasim Rashid Al Shamsi is known for his video clips on his “YouTube” channel where he broadcasts a periodic program titled “From the Emirates.”
Al Shamsi launches a fierce attack on the UAE regime and its leader, Mohammed bin Zayed, through his program, and he has previously exposed its repressive and bloody policies and revealed critical information in more than one of his episodes.
