American held in UAE after posting spoof video is expected to be released
MINNEAPOLIS – An American who’s been held in the United Arab Emirates for roughly nine months is expected to be released.
Shezanne Cassim was arrested in April after posting a parody video online about youth culture in Dubai.
In December, he was sentenced to one year in prison, a fine and deportation.
U.S. State Department spokeswoman Pooja Jhunjhunwala says Tuesday that Cassim has been moved to a deportation facility for processing. She says: “We understand processing will take a few days at which point he will be returning to the United States.”
The United Arab Emirates-owned daily The National has said Cassim and others were accused of defaming the country’s image abroad. Cassim’s supporters say he was charged under a cybercrimes law that tightened penalties for challenging authorities.
News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Join the Conversation!
Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community? Create a free account to comment on stories, ask questions, and join meaningful discussions on our new site.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.