ACDP DISAPPOINTED AT POSTPONEMENT OF KARABUS CASE

MEDIA RELEASE
Cheryllyn Dudley
23 April 2013

ACDP MP Cheryllyn Dudley said today:

“The ACDP is disappointed to learn that Professor Karabus's case in the United Arab Emirates has been postponed yet again - this time to the 29th April."

"The ACDP, who brought this matter to the Department of International Relations attention last year and has continued to call for their intervention on Professor Karabus’s behalf, has been trying to make contact with a relevant person in the department to discuss the situation - and will continue to do so."
Professor Karabus, a distinguished professor of medicine aged 78, with a lifetime of service to the community in South Africa, was acquitted of murder on March 23 but prosecutors appealed the judgment. His lawyer, Michael Bagraim says unlike South Africa, 90% of cases in the United Arab Emirates are appealed. The retired doctor had been convicted in absentia in 2003 after he'd been in the UAE as a visiting doctor and has spent many months in prison and under house arrest.
Expatriates make up an estimated 98% of the Middle East’s medical work force, and when accused of malpractice, consequences can be severe: including having their right to legal representation blocked and being forced to pay so-called “bloody money” in fines.
During the apartheid era, Professor Karabus concentrated on helping children of colour, so much so that he is an impoverished man himself today.

"His Cape-Town-based lawyer and friend Michael Bagraim said prosecutors had informed the Abu Dhabi defence team yesterday that they intended to start and finish the appeal against his acquittal tomorrow (24th April). But this was not to be as the ACDP has now ascertained his case has been postponed again."
"The ACDP wishes Professor Karabus well and looks forward to hearing of his release to return home, and cautions those who seek employment in the UAE to weigh this sort of risk against any financial gain."

* Since following up with the Department of International Relations:


Spokesperson Clayson Monyela said while the government respected the independence of the UAE's judiciary, it believed Karabus's right to a fair trial was being violated.

"We are disappointed that the judicial authorities in the UAE have once again seen it fit to further prolong the stressful ordeal that Prof Karabus has been going through since August 2012," Deputy Minister Marius Fransman said.

"The South African government will continue to raise its concerns through the relevant diplomatic channels with the government of the UAE."