Was I lucky I didn't get arrested?
Hamed, who was arrested last year for taking photographs at Villaggio Mall following a fatal fire that killed 19 people, was jailed for 10 days in Qatar after police accused him of being a Syrian spy, among other things.
Read more: http://dohanews.co/#ixzz2N1tBFbU1
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A cold chill went down my spine when I read this story. There is no doubt in my mind that the images I took of the Villaggio tragedy were some of the most published world wide. I was there on the day of the disaster, at Aspire Park the day after, and even took images of the reopening of Villaggio. My Flickr account is still receiving loads of hits a day just on these images alone.
But reading the above story on Doha News today, I realise I could have been perilously close to being arrested myself. Especially when I tried to cover the reopening. I was given a grilling by what I assume was management (British bloke in a suit with a bad attitude who wouldn't tell me who he was) having already had to deal with security several times, and when I started to see men in official Qatari Authorities uniforms heading my way in the distance, I legged it, jumped in my car and made a hasty exit. Watching someone making a note of my car number plate in my rear view mirror as I did so.
I have never been approached by anyone official since, but I consider myself very lucky. Of course I would comply 100% with any official request from the authorities here, and do not want to do anything to cause trouble. In future though, I think I will simply avoid taking images of anything that could in any way lead to me spending time in jail and/or being accused of being a spy.
Maybe I am over reacting, but I am treating this story as a warning to myself, and do not want to put myself in any danger ever again. This is the end of my photo journalistic days here in Qatar.
Ok TB, better safe than sorry, best of you luck with your photography anyway!
From now on.... better safe than sorry.
Lol Brit... that's fab ;)
No TB, you are not lucky but you are just considered to be arrested after Baburao...................................... Just kidding.
Dont ride your luck here.
In my country there is a saying...when you entered lion's cage...you roar. When you entered goat's cage, you mbekkkkk!
timebandit, you realized it now, but I was worried at that time too for your quick & timely reporting and sensitive images. Even though we all were worried & wanted to know the latest news.
Having worked and lived in a number of countries including GCC, I am all too aware of the reality of things.
I think you are lucky in that the photos went worldwide. And if you were questioned/detained that would reflect on Qatar.
Continued good luck.
Rulers know this and have always sort to control images.
I suggest people see the series 'How Art Made The World' on YouTube.
A taster:
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Sorry for going off at a bit of a tangent
I'm surprised at the naivity of the posting from TheSurprised. The reality is that we are living in a country where taking pictures without permission can be construed as acting against the law or interests of the country.
We all have to be careful.
Typhoon-2012 lol... well noted
Strange and all this things are happening in the land where Al Jazeera transmits from and they say Al Jazeera is as free as CNN or the BBC
They call you timebandit
An outlaw untamed
Shackled only by freedom
You wear no-one's chain
Some say they despise you
Well maybe they do
But deep down inside them
I bet they wish they were you
timeBandit you're a Photoperson
And you have your own views
You're loved by Dohanews
timeBandit you're the joker
In the deal of the cards
You're a legend to the old man
A hero to the child
timeBandit steal a lady's heart
With only your smile
They call you timebandit
They call you timebandit
Bandit...Your nickname here explaines everything....
Bandit, your photos told a story of a tragedy that words could never have expressed. Thank you for sharing them with all of us.
Bandit..authorities are on their way to your place..:D
Now they know how to contact you... wait for the PM... then for the men in black... then while you are fast asleep... they will conduct a night time raid in stealth helicopter... and whisk you off...
Not sure why would you post this thread. Take care man. Wish you all the luck.
Maybe they already check ...just becarefull next time...
I did some shots in an amusement park...just taking photos of my childs here and there...some other cute kids as well...and after a while, I noticed there is an Arabian guy (not Qatari but wearing long dress without his turban) walking closer to me. He just watching me taking some shots...and yeah...it got me felt weird as I'm being observed like that.
Clear me on something pls...is taking photos of public is somekind illegal here in GCC?
You did a great job & yes your images were the most published world wide.
With all due respect I think you have done nothing wrong & you should not fear any thing & continue with your photography :)
I do believe you are fortunate. In addition, I think your postings on QL on the day may have helped.
We all need to be a bit more "careful" and keep in mind that we are NOT back home and many a time our actions can be misconstrued.
Glad to have you with us still..
Don't give up the photography.. Just be a little more wary :O)