Family’s nightmare as ex-Canty student detained in Dubai prison
The family of a New Zealand permanent resident held without charge in a Dubai prison for nearly nine months say they are living a ‘‘nightmare’’.
Malaysian national Richard Lau, 41, has been detained over allegations he stole money from the company he worked for – money he says was his salary and commission.
His lawyers said his detention defied United Arab Emirates (UAE) law, which allowed a person to be held without charge for up to 30 days, or longer if they presented a risk to national security.
Lau lived in Christchurch for 16 years from 1994. He attended Burnside High School, graduated with a Masters of Engineering from the University of Canterbury in 2001, and worked as a real estate agent and cosmetics salesman.
He relocated in 2010 to work for Malaysian marine transport company Shin Yang’s office in Ras Al Khaimah, one of the emirates that make up the UAE.
An Emrati partner in the business, Walid Jumaa Abu Shabas, accused Lau and seven others of embezzlement in April.
Lau’s lawyers contended Shabas
"It's a violation of his human rights, basically . . . he has to prove himself innocent while sitting in jail."
Antonia Lau
‘‘misconstrued’’ the employees’ earnings arrangements.
International legal service Detained in Dubai represents Lau. Partner Shahid Bolsen said a judge renewed Lau’s detention every two weeks as authorities investigated.
‘‘He’s literally being held because they can’t find any evidence against him.’’
The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) was not aware of Lau’s situation. It said he had not sought its help.
Consular services were only available to New Zealand citizens and ‘‘consular jurisdiction lies with the country that issued the passport the person used to enter another country’’, an MFAT spokesman said.
Detained in Dubai chief executive Radha Stirling said the Malaysian Foreign Ministry was doing ‘‘what they can to secure [Lau’s] prompt release’’.
Lau’s sister, Antonia Lau, said her brother’s detention was particularly distressing for their elderly parents, who wanted him home in Malaysia for Chinese New Year in February. The family is allowed a 10-minute phone call with Lau each week.
‘‘It’s a violation of his human rights, basically . . . he has to prove himself innocent while sitting in jail,’’ she said.
‘‘It’s a nightmare, not knowing if there’s any light at the end of the tunnel for us.’’
Antonia Lau said her brother had ‘‘many friends’’ in Christchurch and living in New Zealand was ‘‘a major part of his life’’. He owns two investment properties in New Brighton.
Bernard Wong, who met Lau at Burnside High, described him as studious and ‘‘down-to-earth’’.
‘‘He’s not a person who will steal money; he’s someone who will help you out when you need it,’’ Wong said.
George Chen, who knew Lau as a ‘‘friendly and polite’’ university student, said he was ‘‘the last person you imagine [this] would happen to’’.
‘‘To happen in this way to such a person is quite bizarre.’’