Oman-held woman released
A KRAAIFONTEIN family has breathed a sigh of relief as their daughter, who was detained in Oman for a year, returned to South Africa safely this week.
Chloe Collins, 24, was held in Oman in the Middle East with no charges against her, and with no access to legal advice.
Her attorney at the time said this came about as the Omani government said Collins’s brother was a person of interest in the death of a taxi driver.
In a statement issued by the family’s attorney and spokesperson, Simone Carolissen, the family said they thought it was “prudent to update the public on her current situation” given the public’s interested in her case and well-being.
“It is with the deepest, deepest gratitude that we would like to confirm that Chloe Collins has been released and arrived safely in South Africa on Monday, June 8. After languishing in detention in Oman for many months without charge; access to legal advice or due process, public interest and support allowed Chloe to fight for justice.
“While we are still studying the court’s judgment on her matter, we have been informed that Chloe was ultimately found guilty of having knowledge of her brother – allegedly a person of interest in another matter – returning to South Africa before the Omani authorities could question him,” Carolissen said.
She said based on information, international legal opinions received have advised Collins to appeal against the judgment. “While we do not agree with the judgment, we do not know whether Chloe will decide to appeal considering the resources required and her extraordinarily traumatic experience to date,” said Carolissen.
The family thanked the public for getting involved through fundraisers, petitions and keeping the news alive about Collins’s detention.