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British national and crypto expert, Chris Emms, has filed a petition to the United Nations to rule on his wrongful detention in Saudi Arabia and human rights violations at the request of the United States. The FBI issued an Interpol Red Notice against 30 year old Christopher Emms for allegedly ‘conspiring to violate’ US sanctions under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) by attending a cryptocurrency conference in North Korea (DPRK) in 2019, a time where the US President and diplomats were bridging the gap in relations. US seeks extradition of British national over cryptocurrency conference: The case of Christopher Emms. Due Process Newsroom & Media Centre “IEEPA specifically provides that it only applies to US citizens”, explains extradition expert Radha Stirling, “and Chris is not a US ‘person’. He is not required to abide by US domestic law unless he is actually within the United States. Chris is a British citizen who, in attending the Pyongyang conference, did not violate any British, European or international laws. Frankly, nor did he violate any US laws. It is absurd that the government of the United States would try to impose its domestic laws on foreign nationals, abuse their membership to Interpol and cause the arbitrary detention and human rights violations of a young man in Saudi Arabia. It is insulting to the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia and the international community that the US is imposing on their sovereignty and trying to export domestic laws with aggressive and abusive tactics. “Countries need to draw a red line and let the US know that their jurisdiction stops 12 nautical miles from their land borders. Foreign nationals can NOT be expected to learn American law at school and should never be extradited for alleged violations of US domestic law OUTSIDE of the US. Extradition of British crypto expert to USA would challenge UK sovereignty Due Process Newsroom & Media Centre “It starts with going after ‘terrorists’ or journalists and then it extends to average people like Chris Emms who the US wants to use to make a ‘point’ to the crypto community. The US wants their sanctions to be obeyed by everyone, not just the sanctioned party but abusing the law to enforce their foreign policy is not the way to do it. If they want Brits to follow US sanctions, they should lobby the British government to impose the same sanctions on their citizens. British citizens are only required to follow the legal sanctions of their own country. “Our governments must be held to account for their increasing overreach of powers. We are calling on The United Nations to emphasise the principles of sovereignty to the US and to recommend the immediate release of Christopher Emms and compensation for the hundreds of thousands in legal bills he has had to foot”. See why the US is persecuting crypto professionals: Colonising the Cryptosphere - by Radha Stirling Due Process Newsroom & Media Centre Stirling has helped clients delete wrongful Interpol Red Notice’s since 2008. “The misuse of Interpol’s database is so appalling, especially so when it comes from countries like the US from whom we expect a better standard of due process. We regularly defend clients from extradition proceedings all over the world. These are the most frightening times of people’s lives. It’s something nobody expects they will have to deal with in their lifetime. They are not international fugitives, drug lords or terrorists. They are average workers, flight attendants, pilots and entrepreneurs with no criminal history but because Interpol has immunity, there is no incentive to improve their standards.” Stirling has acted for a number of clients petitioning for United Nations involvement, including Dubai’s Sheikha Latifa Al Maktoum. “The UN is often the last resort for those who have tried everything legally and diplomatically to resolve their situation. It’s important that the UN human rights and sovereignty principles are enforced against countries who would willingly violate them. We hope the FBI will review their criteria for submitting Interpol Red Notices to ensure they are acting within international guidelines in the future”. Home | CLAN Crypto Legal Advocacy Network. An international alliance to protect and defend crypto professionals against state harassment & legal abuse. Detained in Dubai: http://www.detainedindubai.org Detained in Doha: https://www.detainedindoha.org Radha Stirling: http://www.radhastirling.com CLAN - Crypto Legal Advocacy Network - https://www.bitclan.org / Due Process International: http://www.dueprocess.international IPEX - Interpol & Extradition Reform & Defence Experts - https://www.ipexreform.com/ Podcast: http://www.gulfinjustice.news Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6KH20nw... Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/detainedindubai Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/detainedindu... YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/detainedindubai Email: info@detainedindubai.org

United Nations to hear US FBI abuse of crypto expert Chris Emms

British national and crypto expert, Chris Emms, has filed a petition to the United Nations to rule on his wrongful detention in Saudi...

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By Alahna Kindred News Reporter,17 Jun 2022 Saint Mullan shared a TikTok video that has been viewed more than two million times revealing she was approached by a man inviting her to a yacht party in Dubai Saint Mullan shared a TikTok video that has been viewed more than two million times revealing she was approached by a man inviting her to a yacht party in Dubai A woman has revealed how she was offered £16,000 to fly to Dubai to allegedly fulfil a prince's bizarre fetishes, including urinating on her. Saint Mullan , from London, shared a video on TikTok about how she received a private message on Instagram from someone claiming to be a friend of a Dubai prince. In the clip, which has been viewed more than two million times, she shares screenshots where they specify how much they will pay her and what they expect her to do. The content creator and personal trainer told the Mirror she never had any intention of flying out to Dubai but says she kept replying to see how far he would take the conversation. In the screengrabs, this unidentified person claims this prince is throwing a yacht party and Saint is invited because "our prince loves beautiful women" and he finds her "very attractive". The prince, who is reportedly worth £321million, was allegedly ready to pay Saint £16,000 to join him and his friend - which is less than one per cent of his net worth. Allegations of influencers and models being flown out to Dubai to perform bizarre fetishes are not new as legal experts have said many of them are deterred from reporting it to the police. Saint, who says her suspicions were immediately raised, started to ask questions about if she could bring friends and how would the money get paid. Then the invite took an odd turn. The message then reads: "You will not spend a single dollar when you come to Dubai, but there is something that we need to ask of you." They continue: "The prince, as well as myself, have fetishes and we just need them pleased in return for everything. I can list them now for you." The fetishes included various parts of the feet and hand and a urination fetish. When Saint rejected the idea, the person then pleaded for her to play out just foot fetishes. Saint said: "It was very random but then I had no idea it had anything to do with Dubai porta potty. "I was never going to do a video on it because I didn't know that it was such a big thing and I saw that other people were also affected. "I wanted to address it and to make people aware to prevent this." Saint said: "In terms of the price it was nothing because I was never going to go. "For me, I've had messages from other things like sugar daddies, but I feel like the wider your platform is the easier it is for people to message you and even from scammers." The individual messages have not been independently verified as someone linked to the Dubai prince. Saint said she felt like it was a real account, but realises it may not have been that individual's personal account because they could be easily reported. Radha Stirling, the CEO of Detained in Dubai, told the Mirror influencers and artists have approached her organisation saying they were lured to parties where they were expected to perform sex acts. The organisation provides confidential legal help in civil and criminal cases in Dubai and helps clients navigate the complex legal system in the UAE. She also said that women have been deterred from complaining to police because they could be detained or have their passports confiscated, preventing them from leaving. She said: "We have received a number of complaints from influencers and artists who have been invited to Dubai for performances and events to then be lured into parties where they have been expected to participate in sexual activities. "Sex outside marriage has been legalised in Dubai and events organisers have been quick to take advantage of the new ‘relaxed laws’. "Women need to be aware that they may face confronting and even dangerous situations and if there is a married man involved, they can still be charged with adultery. "A number of women have complained about sexual assault but have been deterred from making police reports because doing so can result in their own detention or passport confiscation to ensure they remain in the country to be a witness. "Although Dubai creates the image that it is one of the safest cities in the world, it is the most likely place for Brits to be detained abroad and numerous women have been raped or assaulted without being able to achieve justice." Saint added: "I feel like it was trafficking. I believe that when it's too good to be true then it normally is. "Even with stranger danger, you should just go to a country - especially coming from men - who are just offering to do something nice. "There's always mal intention. A lot of them when they on to something try and isolate you and that is why I asked to bring friends." Saint also urges other influencers and content creators who may be tempted to accept the invitation. She said: "I want people to know their worth. And to be successful is a process. It's better to go the long way and don't let your circumstance determine your future. "You don't need to do things that lower your value in order to have it and don't let money control your actions."

'I was offered £16,000 to fly to Dubai to fulfil a prince's bizarre fetishes'

By Alahna Kindred News Reporter,17 Jun 2022 Saint Mullan shared a TikTok video that has been viewed more than two million times revealing...

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by Radha Stirling It is entirely possible that the heyday of cryptocurrencies is already over. The era of brilliant young visionaries imagining a world of decentralised finance, in which every person could conjure wealth seemingly out of the ether -- potentially empowering the masses with new technological opportunities to escape poverty, oppression, and upward immobility -- had a good run. Arguably, the creation of the Cryptosphere was the most promising event since the discovery of the New World 500 years ago. Beginning in 2009 with the launch of Bitcoin, a whole new realm of apparently infinite possibility was being explored. When crypto pioneers explained this new terrain to the rest of us, they might as well have been delivering a lecture about quantum physics to a kindergarten class. No one was quite sure what it all meant, but the bottom line appeared to be that this new world was liberating. Perhaps because it was so new, so confusing, and so exciting; governments around the world have been slow and fumbling in their approach to cryptocurrency…until now. It has become increasingly clear that states do not want to lose their grip on the control of money. The analogy of the discovery of the New World is more apt than it seems, because it looks like the Old World of the Federal Reserve and Central Banks is planning to colonise the Cryptosphere --and it is going to be ugly. Because cryptocurrencies are still baffling to most officials and lawmakers, the wilderness of digital finance remains largely unregulated. Is Bitcoin money? Is Ethereum an asset? Is Dogecoin a security? No one is sure yet, nor do they know under whose remit cryptocurrencies fall. As a result, the job of bringing law and order to the Wild West of digital finance is up for grabs. SEC Commissioner Caroline Krenshaw deputised herself last year, staking her claim on jurisdiction in a case against Rivetz Corp for failing to register their Initial Token Offering which raised $30 million between July and September of 2017. Krenshaw has essentially stated that every digital finance project which violates SEC regulations is illegal, no matter where it may exist in the world, and she has the authority to shut it down. The US Department of Justice flashed its tin star last year too, arresting Roman Sterlingov, a dual citizen of Russia and Sweden, for running Bitcoin Fog; a crypto-mixer that anonymises transactions. Jurisdictionally, this was a reach. The DoJ’s claim of authority stemmed only from the fact that Bitcoin Fog websites were accessible in the United States. And now a particularly creative attempt is being made to tame the Cryptosphere by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) by invoking the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) against British citizen Christopher Emms for participating in a crypto conference in North Korea in 2018. Chris Emms epitomises the homesteader spirit of digital finance’s heyday; all hope and innovation, optimism and energy; with the altruistic vision of escorting newbies into the vast open spaces of the Cryptosphere, and helping them achieve independent prosperity and a better life. By the time Chris was invited to attend the “Pyongyang Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Conference” by organiser Alejandro Cao de Benos, he had already made a name for himself as an expert in the field, and as someone constantly looking for opportunities to bring the promise of digital finance to others. Benos asked Chris to invite others to the event, and unbeknownst to Chris, even listed him on the website as a co-organiser because of his name recognition in the field. In 2018, relations between North Korea and the rest of the world seemed to be improving. Tensions between Washington and Pyonyang were de-escalating, and an historic summit was scheduled between then-President Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un. It appeared that the long-suffering citizens of the DPRK might finally be getting a chance at some degree of freedom, and Chris thought it could be fertile ground for the seeds of crypto liberation. After checking the UK’s travel advisory and seeing to issues, he decided to attend. It was only when he landed in North Korea that Chris realised how harsh life is there. Guests’ passports were confiscated on arrival, and they were not allowed to speak to anyone, nor leave the venue without an escort. If it would have been possible to leave early without arousing the suspicion of his hosts, Chris was not inclined to stay. But, stay he did, and organisers took advantage of his presence by asking him to fill gaps in the programme at the last minute because the only other scheduled speaker, Virgil Griffith, didn’t have enough content to fill the two-day event. In what is undoubtedly the most regretted “ yeah, sure ” of his life, Chris agreed. Fast-forward to May 2022, and Chris Emms’ face is plastered on an FBI wanted poster for violating US sanctions against North Korea as per IEEPA. Because of a boring, uneventful and altogether unpleasant conference in Pyongyang in which nothing was said that couldn’t be accessed more enjoyably on Google, Christopher Emms is suddenly an international criminal. This is even more of a reach than the DoJ prosecution of Roman Sterlingov. The IEEPA only applies to “US persons”, but the FBI claims that since Virgil Griffith is an American citizen, Chris can be pursued on the very expansive grounds of conspiracy because they both spoke in front of a whiteboard one afternoon in a Pyongyang conference room. The prosecutability of Virgil Griffith is even awkward, given the extremely fuzzy guidelines pertaining to the legality of cryptocurrency transactions in sanctioned countries; but we’ll never know how that case would have fared in court because Griffith, staring down the possibility of 20 years in prison, copped a plea deal. But charging a British citizen, listing him on Interpol, and trying to extradite him to the US, is pure belligerence. There are two transparent objectives in the American case against Chris Emms, and sanctions against North Korea are only tertiary to those objectives. The US, along with most Western governments, is increasingly interested in commandeering the Cryptosphere for the introduction of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) – digital money issued and controlled by the Federal Reserve and central banks; Fed-coins, if you will. This aim necessitates the gradual elimination of independent cryptocurrencies, as well as establishing control over the blockchain and all mechanisms of digital transactions. Anyone who is involved in developing, distributing, or promoting technologies that enhance privacy or crypto autonomy, is likely to find themselves under pressure. The US is attempting, by hook or by crook, to assert global jurisdiction over all issues pertaining to cryptocurrency, regardless of where a transaction or interaction takes place, and regardless of the nationalities of those involved. To this end, American authorities are trying to creatively expand the legal applicability of the IEEPA to non-US persons; and they are doing it in Chris’s case through blatant intimidation. The concept of ‘universal jurisdiction’ applies to international crimes that, for whatever reason, cannot be tried in the International Criminal Court; it deals with matters such as genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. Universal jurisdiction does not mean the unilateral authority of the United States to prosecute anyone, anywhere, who violates rules that do not even apply to them. The case against Chris Emms is an absurd contrivance, and the FBI knows it. Whenever the US has prosecuted other non-US persons on the basis of IEEPA, they have never had to justify its applicability; instead bullying accused foreigners into accepting plea deals. But Chris Emms is fighting the charge, and in so doing, he is fighting against the hubris and belligerence of America’s assumption of global jurisdiction, and defending the independence of the Cryptosphere. About the Author: Radha Stirling is the founder of Detained in Dubai , Due Process International , IPEX (Interpol and Extradition) Reform . Since 2008, she has since helped and advised more than 15,000 cases. Stirling is an expert witness, civil and criminal justice specialist, legislative, investment risk, business and policy advisor to the public and private sectors, speaker and host of the Gulf in Justice Podcast, covering regional issues in depth. Stirling has recently launched the Crypto Legal Advocacy Network to help victims of crypto persecution. Related news articles and Press Releases: Extradition of British crypto expert to USA would challenge UK sovereignty Due Process Newsroom & Media Centre US seeks extradition of British national over cryptocurrency conference: The case of Christopher Emms. Due Process Newsroom & Media Centre British cryptocurrency expert Christopher Emms facing £1m fine on cyber charge | News | The Times Detained in Dubai: http://www.detainedindubai.org Detained in Doha: https://www.detainedindoha.org Radha Stirling: http://www.radhastirling.com CLAN - Crypto Legal Advocacy Network - https://www.bitclan.org / Due Process International: http://www.dueprocess.international IPEX - Interpol & Extradition Reform & Defence Experts - https://www.ipexreform.com/ Podcast: http://www.gulfinjustice.news Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6KH20nw... Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/detainedindubai Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/detainedindu... YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/detainedindubai Email: info@detainedindubai.org

Colonising the Cryptosphere

by Radha Stirling It is entirely possible that the heyday of cryptocurrencies is already over. The era of brilliant young visionaries...

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Qatar National Bank (QNB) issued an #Interpol Red Notice against an #Australian citizen over “forged bounced cheque” he could not have authored. The bank never communicated there were any issues with his account and the first he heard of it, was when he was arrested in Prague and jailed on the basis of the Interpol Red Notice. This is not the first time Prague has detained a foreign national on behalf of Qatar. He was denied bail and forced to hire a lawyer to defend the extradition request. The last time #Czech detained a foreigner on the basis of a Qatar notice, the courts ruled it was a violation of his human rights but it seems they have not learned their lesson. After months in prison, a judge finally denied the extradition request. It was not possible that he had written the cheque in question and was not even in the country at the time. “QNB is one of the most aggressive banks with their use of Interpol’s database, frequently using the crime reporting system to extort, harass and punish customers” , said Radha Stirling , Interpol expert and founder of IPEX . “We will be removing the Interpol Red Notice but urge anyone who could be at risk of red notice to check with us before travel. The notices are not published on Interpol’s website and numerous people have been apprehended in Europe and abroad”. Detained in Dubai: http://www.detainedindubai.org Detained in Doha: https://www.detainedindoha.org Radha Stirling: http://www.radhastirling.com CLAN - Crypto Legal Advocacy Network - https://www.bitclan.org / Due Process International: http://www.dueprocess.international IPEX - Interpol & Extradition Reform & Defence Experts - https://www.ipexreform.com/ Podcast: http://www.gulfinjustice.news Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6KH20nw... Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/detainedindubai Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/detainedindu... YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/detainedindubai Email: info@detainedindubai.org

#Qatar National Bank extradition request denied

Qatar National Bank (QNB) issued an #Interpol Red Notice against an #Australian citizen over “forged bounced cheque” he could not have...

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Radha Stirling is the leading exponent of highlighting human rights abuses and assisting those caught in legal disputes in Dubai, and the UAE. She had a key role in the famous failed freedom escape of Princess Latifa. Radha also discusses past cases such as the woman locked up for calling someone a horse online and goes on to explain how she founded her organisation (Detained in Dubai) without having any connection to Dubai. The conversation turns the spotlight on Sheikh Mohammed, #Dubai's ruler, and how his political outlook has changed, becoming more authoritarian. What Radha says could change your perception of Dubai, a popular holiday destination for millions. #DetainedinDubai #ChrisSweeney #Podcast #RadhaStirling Chris Sweeney is a feature writer and author. Follow him @writes_sweeney Follow Detained in Dubai, Radha Stirling and Due Process International at PROWLY Detained in Dubai: http://www.detainedindubai.org Detained in Doha: https://www.detainedindoha.org Radha Stirling: http://www.radhastirling.com CLAN - Crypto Legal Advocacy Network - https://www.bitclan.org / Due Process International: http://www.dueprocess.international IPEX - Interpol & Extradition Reform & Defence Experts - https://www.ipexreform.com/ Podcast: http://www.gulfinjustice.news Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6KH20nw... Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/detainedindubai Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/detainedindu... YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/detainedindubai Email: info@detainedindubai.org

Podcast: Chris Sweeney talks to:Ep 3: The Real Dubai with Radha Stirling

Radha Stirling is the leading exponent of highlighting human rights abuses and assisting those caught in legal disputes in Dubai, and the...

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Woman detained in #Greece over #Qatar issued #InterpolRedNotice over an alleged £20,000 debt that she was not aware of. Her bank advised her that her end of service leave and salary would cover the loan facility. They made no contact with her and two years later, she found herself detained over an almost 100,000 debt she had been convicted of in absentia. Greece denied the #extradition request but the traumatic experience and wrongful Interpol notice have caused her no end of troubles. Please check your Interpol status if you think you may be at risk. IPEX - Interpol & Extradition Reform & Defence Experts Detained in Dubai: http://www.detainedindubai.org Detained in Doha: https://www.detainedindoha.org Radha Stirling: http://www.radhastirling.com CLAN - Crypto Legal Advocacy Network - https://www.bitclan.org / Due Process International: http://www.dueprocess.international IPEX - Interpol & Extradition Reform & Defence Experts - https://www.ipexreform.com/ Podcast: http://www.gulfinjustice.news Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6KH20nw... Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/detainedindubai Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/detainedindu... YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/detainedindubai Email: info@detainedindubai.org

Woman detained in #Greece over #Qatar issued #InterpolRedNotice

Woman detained in #Greece over #Qatar issued #InterpolRedNotice over an alleged £20,000 debt that she was not aware of. Her bank advised...

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#Australian man detained in #Czech over #Qatar issued #QNB bounced cheque. He is now fighting #extradition and seeking to remove the #InterpolRedNotice . In the previous case of Alan Stephenson, Czech authorities ruled that it was a human rights violation that he was detained, but it seems they have not updated their process to account for #InterpolAbuse If you think you are at risk of an Interpol Red Notice, please check before travel! Detained in Dubai: http://www.detainedindubai.org Detained in Doha: https://www.detainedindoha.org Radha Stirling: http://www.radhastirling.com CLAN - Crypto Legal Advocacy Network - https://www.bitclan.org / Due Process International: http://www.dueprocess.international IPEX - Interpol & Extradition Reform & Defence Experts - https://www.ipexreform.com/ Podcast: http://www.gulfinjustice.news Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6KH20nw... Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/detainedindubai Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/detainedindu... YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/detainedindubai Email: info@detainedindubai.org

Australian detained in Czech re Qatar issued QNB Cheque, fighting extradition and Interpol

#Australian man detained in #Czech over #Qatar issued #QNB bounced cheque. He is now fighting #extradition and seeking to remove the...

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Chris Emms interview on USA extraterritorial application of domestic law in the persecution of crypto professionals. The US doesn’t want currencies it can’t control. Detained in Dubai: http://www.detainedindubai.org Detained in Doha: https://www.detainedindoha.org Radha Stirling: http://www.radhastirling.com CLAN - Crypto Legal Advocacy Network - https://www.bitclan.org / Due Process International: http://www.dueprocess.international IPEX - Interpol & Extradition Reform & Defence Experts - https://www.ipexreform.com/ Podcast: http://www.gulfinjustice.news Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6KH20nw... Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/detainedindubai Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/detainedindu... YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/detainedindubai Email: info@detainedindubai.org

Chris Emms interview on USA extraterritorial application of domestic law

Chris Emms interview on USA extraterritorial application of domestic law in the persecution of crypto professionals. The US doesn’t want...

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[Article by Hannah Lucinda Smith, Originally published at The Times , Friday June 03 2022] North Korea’s first cryptocurrency conference proffered an irresistible prize to digital currency evangelists. Held in Pyongyang in April 2019, it promised a rare glimpse into the hermit kingdom’s fabled cryptocurrency sector, which experts believe the country is using to help fund its weapons programmes. Three years on, that conference has sparked an extensive US investigation, which has already led to the conviction and 63-month imprisonment of Virgil Griffith, an American citizen and former developer with the blockchain ethereum, one of eight foreigners who attended. Now, the dragnet has also ensnared Christopher Emms, a Briton, who is awaiting an extradition hearing in Saudi Arabia having been detained there under an Interpol red notice. Others in the cryptocurrency sphere who were invited said that they were invited either by Cao de Benos or by people who said they were cryptocurrency developers in China — not by Emms. The US believes that North Korea’s sophisticated hacker army has amassed billions of dollars in cryptocurrency since 2017, much of it through cyberattack ransoms. British citizens are allowed to visit North Korea, and the UK is one of the few western states to maintain diplomatic relations. On his return from Pyongyang in April 2019, Emms was stopped at Gatwick and was questioned by police officers about his trip. When he got home, he called the MI6 hotline and asked whether he could offer any information. In late 2019, he met security services officers twice in the United Arab Emirates. “I felt they were trying to get to the bottom of whether any laws were broken,” Emms said. “They were very interested in the conference. But it was very casual: ‘Tell us about you. What did you see? What happened?’.” A couple of days later, one of the officers told Emms that they would not be taking the case any further. “He said don’t be silly, don’t mess up your life,” Emms recalled. But when Griffith was then indicted in the US in January 2020, Emms was listed as a co-conspirator. He hired a US lawyer, and offered to speak t0 prosecutors. They were not interested in talking to him. But everything seemed to change after Griffith pleaded guilty in last September, taking a deal in return for a reduced sentence. After he was sentenced last month, the prosecutors issued their indictment against Emms, by then detained in Saudi Arabia, and Cao de Benos, who remains on the run. Radha Stirling , the lawyer who is helping Emms fight his extradition, said the US’s target appears to be reigning in cryptocurrency, not Pyongyang. “American authorities are trying to creatively expand the legal applicability of the IEEPA (US sanctions legislation) to non-US persons; and they are doing it in Chris’s case through blatant intimidation.” Emms is now hoping to be allowed to return to Britain to fight his extradition. He is also applying to open a case against America at the UN tribunal for deprivation of liberty. “My reputation and Virgil Griffith’s is already ruined. I don’t have much left to lose,” he said. “But I can’t just go to the US and sit there and plead guilty. If I do, they will keep doing this to others.” The Times approached the US Department of Justice, the British Foreign Office and Treasury and Cao de Benos for comment. None had responded by the time of publication. Detained in Dubai: http://www.detainedindubai.org Detained in Doha: https://www.detainedindoha.org Radha Stirling: http:///www.radhastirling.com CLAN - Crypto Legal Advocacy Network - https://www.bitclan.org/ Due Process International: http://www.dueprocess.international IPEX - Interpol & Extradition Reform & Defence Experts - https://www.ipexreform.com/ Podcast: http://www.gulfinjustice.news Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6KH20nw... Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/detainedindubai Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/detainedindu... YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/detainedindubai Email: info@detainedindubai.org

British cryptocurrency expert accused of helping North Korea avoid sanctions by the US

[Article by Hannah Lucinda Smith, Originally published at The Times, Friday June 03 2022] North Korea’s first cryptocurrency conference...

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Press Release: Pilot detained in Dubai over WhatsApp text to ex A 28 year old Italian pilot has been held in Dubai after an ex-girlfriend made a complaint to police that he had sent her offensive WhatsApp messages. He has been experiencing deep depression and anxiety since he realised he could be stuck there for months or years and face jail. The accuser, a Syrian woman, met Achraf Arjaouy at Dubai’s mall where he had been shopping during a vacation. The two hit it off and began seeing each other but Achraf had been splurging on staycations and being generous towards her requests to support her family. Eventually, he felt he was being used as the requests seemed never ending. When Achraf, from Turin in the North of Italy became frustrated with their arguing over money, he sent her some messages she reported to the police as “offensive”. He called her a “gold digger” and referred to her as a “bitch” and a “thief”. “Under the UAE’s strict cybercrime laws, any messages deemed offensive or abusive by the recipient can be reported to authorities” , explains Radha Stirling , founder of Detained in Dubai who has represented a number of defendants in the past. “We have seen a British national charged for a private message on Facebook effectively referring to someone as a horse. Good Morning Britain - Radha Stirling on detention of Laleh Sharavesh - YouTube We’ve seen a woman charged for swearing at her flatmate in a private WhatsApp message and more. What is legal, common and private in the West can mean jail time in Dubai”, especially when we have either a financial or vindictive motivation behind a report”. Brit woman, 31, who faced two years in Dubai prison over 'f*** you' WhatsApp to flatmate allowed to leave with £600 fine Although Achraf was told by lawyers that he would just “pay a fine and be able to leave by the end of March”, he remains in Dubai on a travel ban and police are “still investigating”. Stirling explains “nothing in the UAE moves quickly and Achraf still faces potential incarceration. Investigations can take 6 months or more and visitors are expected to be able to fund a forced extended holiday in a luxury destination. The process is part of the punishment and Dubai benefits financially. Foreigners spend tens of thousands, lose their jobs and end up not being able to afford legal representation or accommodation. For such a minor infringement, the impact can be devastating.” Thousands of Brits arrested in Dubai for 'cyber crimes' - Daily Star Frequently, complainant’s open cases against adversaries as a means to extort or threaten them. The UAE’s legal system is open to abuse by vindictive or money motivated parties. Achraf told Detained in Dubai that his ex-girlfriend opened the case then contacted him to ask him to pay a traffic violation fine of hers that she incurred while driving his luxury car rental. “She promised if I pay the fine she might think about withdrawing the complaint” . He paid the fine but then she requested 10,000 dirhams to drop the case. Legal abuse is rampant in the Emirates and foreigners are regularly held as financial hostages to individuals or companies who misuse the legal system to hold them to ransom. “For some, this is a business” says Stirling. Horrors of five Brits locked in hellish Dubai jails over ‘crimes’ such as swearing, bounced cheques & fake confessions “Holding foreigners in the UAE while under investigation over trivial alleged offences is damaging to the country. It allows for spiteful or extortive individuals to abuse the legal system to punish or bribe victims and the first person to report. The mere reporting of these cases is essentially criminal in itself and complainants need to be reviewed for elements of blackmail or harassment”. Achraf has experienced severe trauma as he anticipates potential detention. “I’ve been here for three months. I don’t know what is going to happen and I have no friends here and nor am I in a mental frame to make any. I never knew anything like this was even possible but now that I’ve researched it, I see just how common it is. I would never have come if I thought anyone could just open a criminal case like this. It seemed so open and free here when I first arrived and I felt like it was just another tourist destination. I am dumbfounded that a simple text could land me in jail, drag me through a drawn out legal process and cause me such immense stress and anguish that I can’t even sleep at night”. 20 little things that could get you arrested in a foreign country - Cosmopolitan Stirling has lobbied foreign governments to issue more severe warnings to citizens who may visit Dubai. “The current warnings are insufficient and have caused lengthy detentions and untold pain to countless visitors. Dubai authorities need to establish a fairer and more expeditious means of dealing with frivolous allegations. However, there is little incentive to do so when it appears to instantly help Dubai’s economy. The long term reputational damage though, has not been considered”. Detained in Dubai has asked the Italian Ambassador and UAE authorities to help bring Achraf home. Press Release: Brit detained in Dubai over WhatsApp message Further Press: Dubai travel: Ridiculous laws that could get you locked up | news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site British woman faces Dubai jail over Facebook 'horse' insult - BBC News Detained in Dubai: http://www.detainedindubai.org Detained in Doha: https://www.detainedindoha.org Radha Stirling: http:///www.radhastirling.com Due Process International: http://www.dueprocess.international Podcast: http://www.gulfinjustice.news Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6KH20nw... Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/detainedindubai Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/detainedindu... YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/detainedindubai mail: info@detainedindubai.org

Pilot detained in Dubai over WhatsApp text to ex

Press Release: Pilot detained in Dubai over WhatsApp text to ex A 28 year old Italian pilot has been held in Dubai after an ex-girlfriend...

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Extradition expert Radha Stirling hosts first discussion with British citizen Christopher Emms on the Gulf in Justice Podcast . Chris was listed on Interpol's Red Notice database in February for allegedly "conspiring to violate" US sanctions when he attended a cryptocurrency conference in North Korea. Chris is not a US citizen and is not subject to US law. He is not required to know or learn US law. He violated NO British or international laws but the US is throwing their weight around, intimidating and bullying foreign citizens. Radha Stirling, CEO of Due Process International and IPEX Reform said "Emms and the expert allegedly answered specific questions about blockchain and cryptocurrency technologies for the DPRK audience, including individuals whom they understood worked for the North Korean government, proposed plans to create specialized “smart contracts” to serve the DPRK’s unique interests, and mapped out cryptocurrency transactions designed to evade and avoid United States sanctions, including by diagramming such transactions on a whiteboard for the North Korean audience." #FreeChrisEmms #FreeAssange #StateHarassment http://www.dueprocess.international http://www.ipexreform.com http://www.bitclan.org http://www.radhastirling.co m

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Extradition expert Radha Stirling hosts first discussion with British citizen Christopher Emms on the Gulf in Justice Podcast. Chris was...

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The US is feeling emboldened after persecution and near extradition of Julian Assange. Now, they're hunting a British citizen who LEGALLY attended a conference in North Korea that the British government approved. He's broken NO British or international laws and is NOT an American or even required to learn US law. It's a disgraceful overreach of FBI powers to be able to harass an innocent British citizen by listing him on Interpol and seeking to extradite him for "conspiring to violate" US sanctions he is not even required by law to follow. The US would NEVER accept any OTHER sovereign nation imposing their laws or values on US citizens so why would any other country give the US the right to do that to their citizens? If we do so, we are ceding sovereignty to America simply because they are willing to harass, blackmail and bully other nations and victims into submission and compliance. Christopher Emms from Reigate, Surrey is currently detained in Saudi Arabia fighting extradition to the US under a law that specifically only applies to US citizens. This is state harassment and it needs to stop before any country has the ability to pluck any citizen from another part of the world and jail them. Imagine if Saudi, Russia or China tried to do this? It would be a violation of international law. The US does not get a 'free pass' to violate international law. Britain and the rest of the world must stand up against the bullying and legal abuse of their citizens. If not, just make it official and become another state of the US. Radha Stirling , CEO of Due Process International who is assisting Mr Emms said "There are at least two objectives in the US case against Chris Emms, and sanctions against North Korea are only tertiary to those objectives. America, along with most Western governments, is increasingly interested in commandeering the cryptocurrency sphere for the introduction of CBDCs – digital money issued and controlled by the Federal Reserve and central banks. This necessitates the gradual elimination of independent cryptocurrencies, as well as establishing control over the blockchain and all mechanisms of digital transactions. Anyone who is involved in developing, distributing, or promoting technologies that enhance privacy or crypto autonomy, is likely to find themselves under pressure. In relation to this, the US is attempting to assume global jurisdiction over all issues pertaining to cryptocurrency, regardless of where a transaction or interaction takes place, and regardless of the nationalities of those involved. To this end, American authorities are trying to creatively expand the legal applicability of the IEEPA to non-US persons; and they are doing it in Chris’s case through blatant intimidation". #FreeChrisEmms #FreeAssange #StateHarassment http://www.dueprocess.international http://www.detainedindubai.org http://www.bitclan.org http://www.radhastirling.com

Wow! US expands GLOBAL jurisdiction (for itself only) - FBI hunts innocent Brit after Assange abuse

The US is feeling emboldened after persecution and near extradition of Julian Assange. Now, they're hunting a British citizen who...

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