As CEO of RAKFTZA, El Omari found himself directly in the line of fire of criminal accusations. “This is how quickly accolades can turn into accusations in the UAE,” says Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai.

Once you’re flagged with a red notice, getting it removed is extremely difficult. Interpol refused my request, saying it is not the organization’s role to assess countries’ law enforcement or judicial systems. I was also advised by Interpol that the UAE had said I was free to appeal the conviction for my supposed crimes. Based on what I knew from the experience of others who had run afoul of the Emirates, I regarded the offer as an attempt to lure me back to the UAE, where I might be imprisoned.