Justice Abroad Ready to Assist Fans, Journalists, and Players in Trouble at FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

Justice Abroad is ready to assist fans, journalists, and players who find themselves in trouble with the law at the World Cup in Doha over the next 4 weeks. Justice Abroad has set up an agreement with a top Qatari criminal lawyer so that we are able to provide the highest possible level of assistance to those who find themselves facing legal problems in Qatar.

Justice Abroad has a strong track record of defending foreign nationals abroad in criminal proceedings as well as with working with embassies and civil society groups to defend the rights of individuals and groups. Recent successes for Justice Abroad have included the recent acquittal in the trial of Beijing 2022 Protestors in Athens last week, overturning the conviction of the teenager in the Ayia Napa Rape trial, and successfully pushing for the release of a journalist detained in Somalia.  

Throughout the World Cup 2022, Justice Abroad will be running a 24-hour helpline on +44 (0)203 488 2316.

The Qatari Criminal Justice System

In Qatar if an individual is arrested, they will be taken to the Police Station where the Police compile investigation report and may question the individual. The individual must then be taken to the Prosecutor within 24 hours.   When that individual is brought before the Prosecutor the same or similar questions that were asked of him or her may be asked by the Prosecutor.

The Prosecutor then can make a decision for the individual to be detained in custody for a further 4 days if they believe that the matter is likely to go to court. The Prosecutor can also order the release of the individual until the first court hearing or whilst an investigation is carried out.  

An individual has the right to be represented before the Prosecutor and the legal representative can make submissions as to the evidence and for release on bail. If the decision is made to remand an individual in custody that individual will be kept in Police detention for a maximum of 8 days after which he or she has to brought before a judge. If the individual is brought before a judge, that judge can order a further remand of up to 1 month.  

The Lower Criminal Court

When an individual’s case reaches the first instance Court, known as the Lower Criminal Court, he will come before 1 judge, for less serious matters, and 3 judges for those that are more serious. The individual will be asked if he pleads guilty or not guilty. If that individual pleads guilty there might be 3 to 4 further hearings depending on whether witnesses are to be called.

If the individual pleads not guilty, the court can order for the defence to have access to the file and see the evidence and will fix a further hearing for the defence to be submitted. This will include a written report from the defence which is provided to the Judge. If there are witnesses, a further hearing will be fixed for them to give evidence.  If the prosecution wishes to respond to the defence a further hearing will be fixed for that to take place.

At the final hearing the Judge/Judges decide if someone is guilty or not and if they find the person guilty, they proceed to sentence.

If an individual does not speak Arabic, it is the responsibility of the Court to provide an interpreter. Justice Abroad’s has Arabic speaking staff and our Qatari lawyer speaks English and with their help, and the use of our international network, we can explain the proceedings in English or a range of other languages.

Appeal

If an individual is found guilty we will have 15 days from the sentencing date to appeal that decision.  The appeal would be conducted before 3 judges of the Higher Criminal Court who will read the written submission for appeal, hear the case de novo in that they consider all the evidence afresh, and then deliver a decision at the next hearing.

If an individual fails on appeal the High Criminal Court, they may be able to appeal to the Supreme Court where the appeal would be heard by 7 or 8 judges. At the Supreme Court the facts found by the Higher Criminal Court are accepted and appeals will be based on alleged misinterpretation or misapplication of the law.  Appeals usually come before the Supreme Court within 2 to 3 months and the Supreme Court has a deadline of 1 year in which to make their decision.

There is a very short and strict timeframe for the submission of appeals, so it is important that legal advice is provided promptly.

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Justice Abroad’s Director Michael Polak stated the following:

“We are very pleased to be able to assist any fans, journalists, or players who run into legal trouble in Qatar during the World Cup 2022 along with our Qatari criminal lawyer partner. We have found that the sooner individuals or their families get in touch with us to provide assistance, the more effectively we can protect the individual’s rights. We are ready to work with embassy staff and to fight for a fair outcome for those we represent.

We are running a 24-hour helpline and have a strong track record in representing individuals and groups who find themselves in trouble anywhere in the world.”

For any questions in relation to this press release please contact Justice Abroad by email at contact@JusticeAbroad.co.uk or phone on +44 (0)203 488 2316.

Notes to Editors

Justice Abroad, www.justiceabroad.co.uk has been set up to help those trying to find their way through foreign justice systems with all the associated hurdles that presents, to represent those facing gross breaches of their human rights no matter where this takes place, and to advise and assist the victims of crimes as to how to achieve justice.

Justice Abroad, run by international lawyer Michael Polak, who was selected as the IBA Outstanding Young Lawyer of 2021 has assembled a team of top investigators, lawyers, and support staff to provide unparalleled support, advice and guidance, legal, advocacy, and investigatory service for your Justice Abroad issues anywhere in the world.  The Justice Abroad team with their trusted international pool of multilingual experts, their networks, and media contacts and their well-documented determination to leave no stone unturned in the search for the truth and justice for individuals and families who have been denied it are here to provide that much needed support for families and individuals in their time of need.