American Arrested in Dubai at Risk of Deportation to Egypt

DUBAI-An American citizen arrested recently on a visit to the United Arab Emirates faces possible extradition to his native Egypt after criticizing Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi and calling on Egyptians to protest in videos he made while living in the U.S.

Sherif Osman, 46, an Egyptian-American dual national, was one of a handful of Egyptians abroad urging people to organize demonstrations during a United Nations climate summit in November held in the Egyptian beach city of Sharm El Sheikh and attended by world leaders including President Biden.

Radha Stirling, who founded Detained in Dubai to support foreigners arrested in the U.A.E. and is advising Mr. Osman’s family, said diplomatic efforts are needed to free him. “If a solution is not reached, it is likely that Sherif will be extradited and subjected to grave human rights violations,” she said.

Originally published at https://www.wsj.com on November 30, 2022.