Karabus UAE appeal cliffhanger
PROFESSOR Cyril Karabus may have been found not guilty by a United Arab Emirates (UAE) court yesterday, but prosecutors have another 30 days in which to launch a new appeal after their previous attempts failed.
A South African government official cautioned the public and media last night against speculating when Karabus, who has been in Abu Dhabi for 251 days since his arrest on August 18, would return home.
“There are intense engagements taking place on the imminent return of professor Karabus,” International Relations and Co-operation spokesman, Nelson Kgwete, said.
Earlier in the day, it emerged that a UAE judge had decided to turn down the State’s appeal against Karabus’s acquittal last month.
“The South African government has today, April 24, learnt of the developments in the case of Professor Cyril Karabus and calls on the media and the public to refrain from speculating on the outcome of the process.”
Kgwete said the government and the family and friends of Karabus remained “hopeful” and would continue to monitor developments in the case.
The 78-year-old paediatric oncologist was detained in the UAE after being sentenced in absentia for the death of a Yemeni girl he treated for leukaemia in 2002. He was acquitted on March 21, but was not allowed to leave the country pending the appeal.
Karabus’s lawyer, Michael Bagraim, said the doctor was in “a bit of shock” after he heard of the acquittal.
“The doctor is not feeling good. He is in a bit of shock as the decision took him by surprise,” he said. “His health is not that good.”
Bagraim said the appeal was heard on Tuesday and that the judge indicated the verdict would be on April 29.
The court phoned attorneys in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday to say the judge had reached a decision and wanted to deliver it earlier.
“The judge decided to not grant the State’s appeal and said Karabus was not guilty on all the charges,” Bagraim said.
The prosecution had 30 days to bring a new appeal, he said. “We are now waiting to hear if they are going to exercise their right to a third appeal. His return home is dependent on their decision,” he said.
“Once we know we can start the process of applying for the return of his passport.”