Community Corner

Woodbury Man Heading Home Soon After Being Jailed Overseas

A family spokesperson said Shezanne "Shez" Cassim is going to be released from an Abu Dhabi prison.

A Woodbury man could be back in the state this week after spending about seven months in an Abu Dhabi prison.

Shezanne “Shez” Cassim, 29, was jailed in April and was transferred to Al-Wathba Prison in June.

He uploaded a video called "Ultimate Combat System: The Deadly Satwa Gs" on Oct. 10, 2012 (see above). The video starts with a disclaimer: "The video is fictional and no offence [sic] was intended to the United Arab Emirates or to the people of Satwa.”

It is a mockumentary about combat in an area of Dubai called Al Satwa. Cassim also posted a YouTube video of bloopers.

He was imprisoned for violating the United Arab Emirates' cyber crimes law, his family told the Star Tribune in November.

On Tuesday, Jan. 7, family spokeswoman Jennifer Gore told the Star Tribune Cassim should be released soon.

"An Emirati judge sentenced Cassim on Dec. 22 to a year in prison followed by deportation and a $2,725 fine," according to the Star Tribune story. "With credit for time served, he has served three-fourths of the sentence. Upon release, he will be immediately deported from the country."

Sen. Al Franken released a statement Tuesday morning, after learning Cassim will be heading home soon. 

“I’m thrilled that Shezanne is finally coming home to his family in Minnesota,” Franken said. “When the Cassims reached out to me several months ago about this terrible situation, I directed my office to immediately begin working to help resolve the case as quickly as possible. Since then, I’ve been in continuous contact with the State Department offices in D.C. and in Abu Dhabi and pressed the United Arab Emirates’ ambassador to the United States for a swift resolution.

"I’m relieved that Shezanne’s ordeal is over, and was pleased to help press for his release over the past several months.”


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