American Released after Month in UAE Jail
An American imprisoned for a month in the United Arab Emirates for taking photographs of a sensitive site has been released, a spokeswoman for his family said.
Robert Alan Black was in Abu Dhabi for a conference on creativity when he was arrested October 21 after taking a picture in a restricted area during his morning walk, said the Friends of Alan Black.
Black was released on Tuesday and was to "begin making his way home to Athens, Georgia," said Rosemary Rein, a spokeswoman for the group, which was formed to press for his release.
"We’re relieved and happy with this news,” she said in a statement late Tuesday.
Black, who was held at the Al-Wathba prison, was ordered released after a brief hearing Monday in which the court found no ill-intention and fined him the minimum, about $135, the group said.
"We’re grateful to the court for its wisdom and compassion,” Rein said.
Source: Agence France Presse
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