UAE sentences Jamal Khashoggi’s US lawyer to three years in prison
US lawyer Asim Ghafoor, the former lawyer of murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi, was sentenced to three years in prison by a UAE court.
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US lawyer Asim Ghafoor
US President Joe Biden's trip to the Middle East was marred by further controversy after it was revealed that a US lawyer who had previously represented murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi had been detained in the UAE.
Asim Ghafoor, a US citizen, was detained at Dubai airport on Thursday while traveling to Istanbul for a family wedding and was held on charges related to an in absentia money laundering conviction.
According to reports, Ghafoor had no prior knowledge of any such conviction.
The attorney was sentenced to three years in prison, according to UAE state media on Saturday.
US President Joe Biden met with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Saturday and invited him to visit the US before the end of 2022.
He was one of several Arab leaders Biden met with in Saudi Arabia before departing on Saturday.
However, there were no reports whatsoever that Biden brought up the issue of Ghafoor during his meetings with any of the relevant officials, despite him being a US citizen.
Not only that, but shocking details have also emerged about Friday's provocative meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, whom the US intelligence declared responsible for Khashoggi's murder.
Read more: No handshake for MBS: Biden bumps fists with Saudi Crown Prince
According to two Saudi officials familiar with the matter, in a closed-door meeting, bin Salman was not having it when fingers were being pointed at him and his Kingdom regarding the murder of his dissident. The situation resembled a personal "but you!" back-and-forth between Biden and the Crown Prince. Bringing up the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, bin Salman bit back by pointing out Washington's weak response to human rights issues, including the abuse of prisoners in Abu Ghraib, Iraq, and the recent assassination of Palestinian reporter Shireen Abu Akleh.
Bin Salman argued that the US cannot impose its values on Saudi Arabia, pointing to Washington's failed adventures in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Read more: "Democracy": US reporters restricted in Jeddah, live coverage cut off
