Oussama El Omari

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.