Legal Commentary

Qatari Diplomat Released, No Charges, Flies Back to DC

By Jeralyn

Qatari diplomat al Madadi has been released from custody, cleared to fly back to D.C. and will not face charges.

Local news is reporting a state department official says Qatar will "withdraw" him, meaning he will go back to Qatar and that he has left for D.C.

The Qatar Ambassador, H.E. ALI BIN FAHAD AL-HAJRI, on the embassy's website, says he was flying on official business, at his instruction, and did nothing wrong. (the caps are their's)

"PRESS REPORTS TODAY REGARDING AN INCIDENT ABOARD A COMMERCIAL FLIGHT FROM WASHINGTON, DC TO DENVER, CO INDICATE THAT A QATARI DIPLOMAT WAS DETAINED FOR SUSPICIOUS BEHAVIOR. WE RESPECT THE NECESSITY OF SPECIAL SECURITY PRECAUTIONS INVOLVING AIR TRAVEL, BUT THIS DIPLOMAT WAS TRAVELING TO DENVER ON OFFICIAL EMBASSY BUSINESS ON MY INSTRUCTIONS, AND HE WAS CERTAINLY NOT ENGAGED IN ANY THREATENING ACTIVITY. THE FACTS WILL REVEAL THAT THIS WAS A MISTAKE, AND WE URGE ALL CONCERNED PARTIES TO AVOID RECKLESS JUDGMENTS OR SPECULATION.

Sounds like he's on his way back to D.C. (undoubtedly on a private jet) to clear out his residence and then will head back to Qatar or on to a post in another country.

Interesting bit of irony, via Majlis: Today the Qatar government stepped up its campaign against smoking in public in its own country.

Full post as published by TalkLeft on April 08, 2010 (boomark / email).