Justice Abroad Represents Mother of Abducted 4-Year-Old Girl: Press Reports Court Order for Father to Return the Child
“Here When You Need Us”
Justice Abroad is assisting Wiem Bejaoui, a mother whose 5-year-old child was unlawfully retained after travelling to Slovakia with her father. Director of Justice Abroad, Michael Polak is working with Amy Rowe, of Dawson Cornwell, in the battle to locate and return Elena Smolik to her mother.
Elena, who lived with her mother, was taken to Slovakia in October 2023 by her dual-national father, Rastislav Smolik, 33, with permission, however following this Rastislav has broken off all contact and retained the child. Wiem Bejaoui, 26, has been tirelessly seeking her daughter's return, facing severe emotional distress because of Rastislav’s actions. In an unusual move, made given the seriousness of the situation, a High Court Judge has named the parties involved.
Justice Francis, who presided over the recent High Court hearing, emphasized the severity of the case, describing it as a "very serious case of child abduction" and a planned act. Justice Francis further expressed the appalling nature of the situation, stating, "It is dreadful for the mother to be deprived of her child but even worse for the child to be deprived of her mother."
This facts of this case have been covered in a Daily Mail exclusive written by Nick Pisa and also in the Slovakian Press.
In the Daily Mail piece, Michael Polak voiced his deep concern and condemnation of the father's actions: ‘It is impossible to comprehend the pain and confusion that the current situation must be causing to Elena, who was living happily with her mother in London before suddenly being wrongfully retained in Slovakia. To abduct Elena is already shocking, but to entirely deny her contact with and the love of her mother is abhorrent…. Anyone with any information about the location of Elena should reach out to us confidentially to help end this nightmare for both mother and child.’
In an effort to locate Elena swiftly, Polak and his team have requested the Metropolitan Police to issue an INTERPOL Yellow notice for Elena as a missing person. This international alert could play a crucial role in identifying Elena’s whereabouts and ensuring her safe return to her mother in London.
Wiem Bejaoui, devastated and desperate for her daughter's return, has set up a crowdfunding page to fund lawyers in Slovakia to assist in that jurisdiction. To donate, please visit: Help Me Get My Daughter Back
For any questions in relation to this case, or if you have tips as to the location of Elena, 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, 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 families who have been denied it are here to provide that much needed support for families and individuals in their time of need.