Reprieve for Aussie-Brit in illegal charity

Dubai - Legal representative says her client was 'coordinating the logistics of distributing UN-standard tarpaulins'

Prosecutors in Dubai have dropped all charges against an Australian-British national, Scott Richards, who had been accused of holding an "illegal" charity drive without acquiring the necessary and proper permission from the authorities concerned here.
According to his legal representative, Radha Stirling, Richards was detained on July 28. He was released on bail less than three weeks later.
Stirling said Richards was working at Camp Qambar in Afghanistan for a US-registered charity, "coordinating the logistics of distributing UN-standard tarpaulins" to civilians there.
After returning to Dubai last month, she claimed he was detained by the police for allegedly promoting the charity via social media.
Sterling had been arrested over a law that was issued in April last year by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The decree was laid down to regulate fundraising and charitable donations in Dubai.
The Decree No (9) issued in 2015 prohibits collection of donations or advertising of fundraising campaigns without first obtaining prior written approval from the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department.
Any violation of this decree could result in a penalty of two months to one year of imprisonment and a fine ranging from Dh5,000 to Dh100,000, depending on the court's ruling.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com