Lebanon is expediting the extradition of Egyptian activist Abdulrahman al-Qaradawi to the UAE, sparking legal concerns. His lawyer argues there is no extradition treaty between the two countries and questions the legality of the UAE’s request, especially since Egypt also seeks his return. Al-Qaradawi faces charges in Egypt related to his opposition to the regime of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, raising fears for his safety amid ongoing political repression.
Lebanese authorities are accelerating the transfer of Egyptian activist Abdulrahman al-Qaradawi to the United Arab Emirates, with expectations that this will occur before January 9. His attorney, Mohammad Sablouh, has raised concerns over the legality of the extradition, highlighting that there is no extradition treaty between Lebanon and the UAE and that Egypt has also requested his return. Al-Qaradawi was detained following an Egyptian arrest warrant citing charges related to his opposition to President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.
Sablouh has argued that the extradition request from the UAE lacks a judicial basis since it did not stem from an arrest warrant or verdict issued in Lebanon. He further emphasized that Al-Qaradawi does not hold Emirati citizenship and has not committed any crimes punishable within Lebanese law. The circumstances surrounding his arrest and potential deportation have led to heightened fears for his safety, particularly with increasing tensions for political dissidents in the region.
Currently residing in Turkey and holding Turkish nationality, Al-Qaradawi participated in events in Syria following the fall of Assad’s regime prior to his detention in Lebanon. Activists have urged the Turkish government to intervene on his behalf. As a member of the Muslim Brotherhood—a group that has been deemed a terrorist organization in Egypt since 2013—Al-Qaradawi’s extradition would have severe implications for his safety and human rights.
The situation surrounding Abdulrahman al-Qaradawi is reflective of the heightened repression faced by political dissenters in the Arab world, particularly since the Arab Spring uprisings. Following the 2013 coup in Egypt, many members of the Muslim Brotherhood, including al-Qaradawi, have experienced harassment, arrest, and severe penalties under President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s regime. As a prominent critic of the Egyptian government and a plucked figure from the Muslim Brotherhood, al-Qaradawi’s activist work not only challenges the status quo in Egypt but also attracts regional scrutiny and crackdown.
The impending extradition of Abdulrahman al-Qaradawi to the UAE poses significant legal and ethical questions surrounding his treatment as a dissenter. Attorney Mohammad Sablouh’s warnings about the lack of legal grounds for the extradition signal potential human rights violations. As al-Qaradawi navigates a precarious situation, the international community remains alert to the ramifications of his possible deportation and the implications for freedom of expression and political dissent in the region.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
