Due Proccess
My sister was falsely accused of stealing, her friend complained in the police that his money is not being withdrawed by her, so the police did their job investigating on this matter, they even ask survelance video from the banks. Now my sister was called by the police and needed to go to the station for questioning. She was being asked if she has a hijab(head covering), work, about the naps card and PIN. She told them that she has a black hijab just bought a month before as a present for her mother working in Saudi Arabia; she told that she doesn't know about the card and they said "maybe she threw it away"; she has a knowledge about the PIN because her friend forgot it once and told her about the PIN just in case it's forgotten again; about work, she told them that she's not working then the police said that "see.. your POOR that's why you stole the money". My sister is in husband sponsorship so it's not really needed for her to work. The police even went to there house to search for evidence, they saw the black hijab and QR2000 cash in the cabinet and took it as evidence. The thing here is, we are non-muslim asians, don't we have a right to own hijab for personal use or as a gift and can't we keep any loose cash in the cabinet just for emergency purposes. The problem was the police keep on insisting that she withdrew the money worth QR5000 riyals and they have a video of her. There was a language barrier which there are no good translator so they can understand clearly. They didn't even gave her a chance to have an attorney/lawyer present while questioning. So the police made a report and let her signed on it which is in ARABIC, she ask them what is that for then they told to sign it and after they will let her go which they tricked her on this and for sure she was very scared. Now they are detaining her because as they say that she admitted the crime. My sister husband called me for help and I also brought an arab friend so he can be the one to help us with the talking, we went to the station and ask why are they detaining her, they said that she admitted the crime and she will be prosecuted today, I ask my arab friend to talk to the police to let her come home and promised that she will be there in the court to attend the prosecution but unfortunately it's not possible because they said that she did the crime. My arab friend saw the report which is in ARABIC and he said that it is a sworn statement that she did the crime, they even showed the video, the lady on the video is wearing a multicolored hijab and wearing a niqab(cloth that cover the face), the video wasn't clear enough and it doesn't even look like her with the body figure. We ask the police if she can be represented by an attorney, but they said it's all in the prosecution now with the judge. Now we don't know what to do, could she be sentenced without even an attorney to prove her innocence? The police didn't even further their investigation which might lead to the criminal knowing that the criminal is wearing a different color hijab and it was not even found in there house. Now all hands are pointing at her maybe because she's an Asian and also to say that the police were grate that they solved the case. It's their any expat rights that can be applied here? I ask her friend to drop the case so my sister will be out but the police said that even the complainant will drop the case, she will still be prosecuted and it's all up to the prosecution. Please my sister really need help. Anybody know a very good attorney that handles cases like this? All good inputs does really matter on this!
All your defense should be told in the prosec or in front of the police. Honestly, it will be very hard and the process will be frustrating but keep hoping for the best. Bring the husband during the re-investigation and tell his story.
She is rescheduled today because the interpreter wasn't available. I asked the complainant about the time and date of withdrawal, it was done early morning and the place was very far from the house of my sister. There where two banks and only one submitted a video, also the submitted video by the other bank was two, one with black and one with multicolored hijab, the time and date should be stamp on the video and the bank should only give the exact video of date and timing. The police investigation was incomplete and they just used there intuitions and not based on facts. I ask the husband where was she that time, he told me that she is supposed to be out with her friend but they didn't continue and she was with her husband in the house that time of incident. This family is just leaving simple and happy then with one incomplete investigation, it was shattered.
@mozaismyhero - hopefully she'll get lucky
@Memoriesofdawn - I'll message you my number
@Doha Knight - I don't think they are recording the currency notes being released by the ATM's here, and the money found on the ATM came from her husbands salary. The video wasn't clear enough to see the details.
@denzon - the investigation was done thursday evening, they didn't even give her rights in the first place.
kabayan, i feel so sorry for your sister. she should have not signed the sworn statement in arabic without an interpreter.
It is a Gone Case.... :(
Sorry to say that, but for a matter of Fact if they have Proof ( Video Footage ) From the ATM Machine, that is Sufficient Evidence to Convict your Sister, I am NOT SAYING SHE IS THE CULPRIT.
sorry to heard that. if the case already in public prosecutor, and there lack language, at this stage almost impossible she will be out free.
and the worst thing for her, you may knew already. sorry...
No one can help in this case. Even if you hire a lawyer, he will fleece you but won't be able to prove your sister innocent. First, did the abaya found at your sister's room look like the one in the video? Second, did the currency note numbers found at your sister's room match that of the ones kept in the ATM by the bank? If the answer to these two questions is 'yes', its already a solved case and no lawyer can help...especially in gulf countries like Qatar.
Moreover, the public prosecutor is the most powerful person in the court here. If he is convinced that the crime has been committed, judges are mere employees of the state to announce a sentence. You would be surprised that in Dubai, a public prosecutor can even increase or decrease the sentence given by a judge.
My friend, I am sorry to say but chances of her release are almost nil. She will probably be inside for 6 months to one year before getting deported to her home country.
Let's hope your friend if innocent gets lucky. Justice is like a casino here