South Africa

Detained doctor finally returns to South Africa

Sandy Rashty — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:01:05 +0100

Professor Cyril Karabus, the elderly doctor who had been detained in the United Arab Emirates since August, has just arrived in South Africa.

His family and lawyer, Michael Bagraim, met him the airport in Cape Town.

Prof Karabus had been waiting for his passport to be returned by prosecutors since he was found not guilty of manslaughter in March.

Prof Karabus was convicted in absentia of manslaughter by a UAE court more than 10 years ago. The prosecution claimed that in 2002 the doctor, who had previously worked in the UAE, had mistreated a terminally ill Yemeni girl who had leukaemia.

Unaware of his conviction, Prof Karabus stopped off in Dubai on August 18 last year as he returned to South Africa from his son’s wedding in Toronto.

The 78-year-old doctor was detained in Abu Dhabi for nine months.

He fell ill during his imprisonment but is understood to have recovered.

Mr Bagraim said: "I really believe that they had the wrong man in the wrong place at the wrong time."

South African professor not guilty, UAE court finds

Sandy Rashty — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 14:04:36 +0000

An elderly doctor who has been detained in the United Arab Emirates since August, was finally found not guilty by an Abu Dhabi judge yesterday.

Professor Cyril Karabus, from South Africa, who had his trial postponed 15 times, is waiting for his passport to be returned so he can travel home in time for Pesach.

Professor Karabus was convicted in absentia of manslaughter by a UAE court more than 10 years ago. The prosecution claimed that in 2002 the doctor, who had previously worked in the UAE, had mistreated a terminally ill Yemeni girl who had leukaemia.

Professor Karabus, unaware of his conviction, stopped off in Dubai on August 18 last year as he travelled back to South Africa from his son’s wedding in Toronto.

The 78-year-old doctor has been in detained in Abu Dhabi since then.

The court decision on Thursday came after 10-strong medical committee found that Professor Karabus had not mistreated the patient.

“The judge said he was absolved entirely and found not guilty. He was over the moon, shouting and screaming. We are now working on getting his passport back and bringing him home in time for Pesach,” said family lawyer Michael Bagraim.

However, the prosecution has two weeks to launch an appeal and have retained Professor Karabus’s passport. “They’re doing everything in their power to frustrate us," said Mr Bagraim.

Sleeping giant has a role to play

Alana Baranov — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 09:50:40 +0000

Living at the tip of the African continent, it is easy to feel disconnected from the pulse of global affairs. But, while I may not have grown up in one of the world's financial or political capitals, as the 21st century progresses, it is clear that Africa matters. And as the "sleeping giant" awakens, her geopolitical importance will shape world events. Long overlooked by political analysts for its strategic importance and influence in relation to other regions, Africa's stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict cannot be ignored forever.

Recent developments in Africa on the Middle East issue call for serious consideration. December's vote by South Africa's ruling party to support the boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign against Israel has immense symbolic importance. The ANC declared it was "unapologetic in its view that the Palestinians are the victims" and called on "all South Africans to support the programmes and campaigns of the Palestinian civil society which seek to put pressure on Israel to engage with the Palestinian people to reach a just solution". The latest in a series of party and government decisions, including that of the trade minister to introduce labelling of settlement goods, it has served to bolster the BDS campaign worldwide.

Historically, the Jewish state and Africa were natural allies, with the shared experience of gaining independence in the aftermath of the Second World War. There have been three distinct phases since then. We went from close solidarity in the 1960s to the collapse of diplomatic ties after the Yom Kippur War, and finally to the gradual resumption of relations in the 1980s and '90s. In recent years, there have been visits by Israeli and African officials to each other's countries as well as limited trade and skills exchanges.

Yet it is the Palestinian struggle that has increasingly won over African hearts and minds. A perfect example is the UN vote on upgrading Palestine. Comprising more than a quarter of the UN's membership, Africa overwhelmingly backed the resolution: 46 African states voted in favour, while five abstained and three were not present. Pan-African pundits have noted the significance of this in the light of the economic and political ties most of these countries enjoy with the West, especially Israel's traditional ally, the US.

How did Africa fall out of love with Israel? We can look to the collaboration between African and Palestinian national liberation organisations, or to the strain of the Yom Kippur War and subsequent oil crisis. More recently, rumours of Israeli air strikes on weapons facilities in Sudan's capital last October and outrage over unrelenting settlement expansion have strengthened African-Palestinian bonds. Even those African states that abstained from the UN vote all subsequently extended diplomatic acknowledgment to Palestine, suggesting that their votes were self-interested rather than shows of support for Israel. Other factors include Arab influence in Northern Africa and the spread of fundamentalist Islamist movements, a common anti-imperialist world-view, and African sympathy for regimes that supported liberation. Resentment towards states perceived to be less supportive of national movements, as well as the association of Israel with apartheid South Africa, cannot be underestimated.

As the nations on either side of the Middle East conflict grow weary of a seemingly intractable dispute, Africa's unique ability to relate to both Israelis and Palestinians, through shared histories and current concerns, could be invaluable.

Lessons from Africa's tumultuous past, and from South Africa's peaceful transition, could be extrapolated to the Middle East to provide a sustainable solution. My generation of young African Jews has an obligation to call for change and support activists on our continent who are working for peace.

‘South Africa can learn from you’

Moira Schneider — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 19:00:24 +0000

There was much that South Africa could learn from its Jewish community, particularly its notion of community, said Cyril Ramaphosa, newly-elected vice president of the ANC, the country’s ruling party.

Mr Ramaphosa was speaking at an event organised by Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein to discuss challenges facing the nation.

Stating that a community was defined by “an essential and over-riding concern with the interest, progress and well-being of all its members”, Mr Ramaphosa said: “This I’ve found to be very prevalent in the Jewish community.”

Addressing Mr Ramaphosa frankly on the Israel-Palestine question, Rabbi Goldstein spoke of the community’s “deep connection” to the Jewish state and the perception that the government was biased against it. “What we expect from our government is balance and a sense of proportionality.

“What we don’t expect from our government is to take sides or that Israel is singled out the way it has been,” he said to applause.

“I’ve always said that what is required is a deep dialogue between representatives of government and the leadership of the Jewish people in this country,” contended Mr Ramaphosa, expressing the need to “find balance” — a sentiment praised by the chief rabbi as “a breath of fresh air”.

“I know it’s almost an intractable problem, but it needs cool heads on all sides,” the ANC leader added.

Rabbi Goldstein proposed a “rekindling of the spirit of the Struggle” and a philosophy of governing based on service as opposed to power and “accumulating wealth”. He advocated the return of specialised crime-fighting units that had been disbanded.

South African doctor still awaits UAE court decision

Sandy Rashty — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 15:17:51 +0000

An elderly doctor who has been detained in the United Arab Emirates since August, had his court case postponed for the 15th time.

Professor Cyril Karabus, from South Africa, has been sitting in the court's lobby with his lawyers since the trial was delayed again on Monday.

Michael Bagraim, the Karabus family lawyer, said he had "just spoken to Professor Karabus - he's going back to the court again tomorrow.

"There's no news - just frustration. [Last week] the judge told the attorney-general to come up with the evidence and make a decision."

The trial has been postponed 15 times because the prosecution still "cannot find" the supposed incriminating file.

Professor Karabus, unaware of his conviction, stopped off in Dubai on August 18 this year as he travelled back to South Africa from his son’s wedding in Toronto.

The 78-year-old doctor has been in detained in Abu Dhabi since then.

Since he was released on bail from prison in October, the professor's health has improved and he is "feeling more positive," confirmed Mr Bagraim.

Hearing into Shoah ‘denial’ on radio

Moira Schneider — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 23:00:00 +0000

After years of legal wrangling, a hearing into a complaint of hate speech by the South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) against a Cape Town-based Muslim radio station, Radio 786, took place before the Complaints and Compliance Committee of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa last week.

The case — which dates back to a 1998 broadcast in which UK academic Dr Yakub Zaki was accused of voicing classic antisemitic tropes and appears to have denied the truth of the Holocaust — is to determine the dividing line between freedom of expression and prohibited hate speech.

UK sociologist and Engage founder David Hirsh, who gave evidence on the first day of the public hearing, said in his witness statement that the broadcast constituted “a clear and conscious attempt to advocate for an antisemitic worldview” and that Zaki’s discourse about the Holocaust was “fully characteristic of Holocaust denial”.

“Holocaust denial is not only an offence after the fact; it is also a part of the crime of genocide itself,” Mr Hirsh said. In addition, the radio programme in question constituted “the kind of hostility to Israel and Zionism which is uncontroversially antisemitic.”

In an affidavit filed in support of Radio 786, Manchester-based “Rabbi” Ahron Cohen, who is a leading member of the anti-Zionist group Neturei Karta, described Zaki’s Holocaust revisionism as “regrettable”. He stated, however, that “its threat as incitement against Jews is negligible” and SAJBD was incorrect in identifying revisionism as being antisemitic in every instance.

London-based survivor and stepsister to Anne Frank, Eva Schloss, who testified for SAJBD, described the apparent Holocaust denial as “a great insult and a horrific lie”.

Former Chief Justice of South Africa mourned

Tue, 11 Dec 2012 16:30:57 +0000

The death has been announced of Arthur Chaskalson, a former Chief Justice of South Africa, heralded as a forefather of the nation's democracy. He was 81 and suffered from leukaemia.

Judge Chaskalson, a leading member of South Africa's Jewish community, who served as Chief Justice from 2001-2005 and as President of the Constitutional Court of South Africa from 1994-2001, was also a renowned anti-apartheid campaigner.

He is perhaps best known as a member of the defence team for the 1963 Rivonia t rial, in which he represented Nelson Mandela and nine other African National Congress leaders, who were being tried for 221 acts of sabotage designed to overthrow the apartheid government.

South African doctor jailed in UAE

Sandy Rashty — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 18:00:00 +0100

The detention of an elderly doctor travelling through the United Arab Emirates has sparked anger around the world.

Professor Cyril Karabus, from South Africa, was convicted in absentia by a UAE court for the alleged manslaughter of a terminally ill Yemeni girl he treated in the country in 2002.

Unaware of the conviction, Mr Karabus stopped off in Dubai on August 18 this year, on his way back to South Africa from his son’s wedding in Toronto.

The 78-year-old doctor has been in an Abu Dhabi jail since then.

His trial has been postponed several times because lawyers “cannot find” the relevant hospital files.

An Australian campaigner against a new partnership between Qantas and Emirates airlines, in which Dubai will become a new hub for Qantas, picked out the case of Mr Karabus as an argument against the deal.

Australian human rights solicitor Andrew Hamilton wrote a letter to Qantas saying: “This case illustrates a risk to Qantas passenger safety. The UAE is a country that does not maintain the basic standards of rule of law.”

Michael Bagraim, the Karabus family lawyer, said: “The prosecution still… have no evidence. We have medical experts who support the treatment Professor Karabus gave to the patient.”

South African doctor detained in UAE is granted bail

Sandy Rashty — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 15:01:05 +0100

The elderly South African doctor detained while travelling through the United Arab Emirates was finally given bail this morning.

Professor Cyril Karabus was convicted in absentia by a UAE court for the alleged manslaughter of a terminally ill Yemeni girl he treated in the country in 2002.

Unaware of the conviction, Mr Karabus stopped off in Dubai on August 18 this year, on his way back to South Africa from his son’s wedding in Toronto.

The 78-year-old doctor has been in an Abu Dhabi jail since and his trial was postponed five times because the prosecution could not find the hospital files that contained the evidence.

Sara Karabus, the daughter of Professor Karabus, said: “The trial is still ongoing but they finally found the hospital files this morning.

“The defence will also be able to look at the files so it’s good news - we’re very happy today.

“We have to raise the 240,000 ZAR (equivalent to nearly £18,000) bail money before it can be given next week.”

Professor Karabus’ next trial is on November 20.

“There’s no indication that this will be the last trial,” Ms Karabus added.

“We still haven’t been allowed to speak to him – the deputy South African ambassador told us the news.”

South African professor, 78, detained in the United Arab Emirates

Sandy Rashty — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 10:24:07 +0100

The South African professor being held in the United Arab Emirates for a decade-old alleged manslaughter conviction, had his trial postponed for the fifth time last Wednesday.

Professor Cyril Karabus, 78, was convicted in absentia a decade ago for the manslaughter of a patient, but the prosecution still “cannot find” the hospital files that contain the alleged evidence.

The judge, who presided over the case at 10am on Wednesday morning, refused to grant the “extremely frail man” bail and postponed the trial until next Thursday, October 11.

Michael Bagraim, the family lawyer, said: “Everything was in our favour - we could almost taste it. The prosecution has no evidence and medical experts have spoken in support of the treatment given to the patient.

“The South African deputy ambassador and even offered to put him up in his own home, but to no avail. Instead, he’s been moved to the jail’s infirmary.

“The legal system is so different that if we appeal to a higher court against the bail refusal, the process could take another two years.”

Professor Karabus treated a three year old Yemini girl for leukaemia when he worked for Interhealth Canada at the Sheikh Khalifa Medical Centre in Abu Dhabi, for five weeks in 2002. The terminally ill child subsequently died , after the paediatrician left the UAE when his contract ended. He was convicted and subsequently sentenced to three years and six months imprisonment for manslaughter and falsifying documents which said that a blood transfusion had been ordered.

Professor Karabus had no knowledge of the 2002 manslaughter charge until he was arrested in Abu Dhabi at the Dubai International Airport on August 18 on his way home from his son’s wedding in Toronto, Canada.

“It looks a lot like revenge,” Mr Bagraim continued. “The judge said that if the prosecution can’t find the file by next week, they will discuss other options and the trial may be postponed again.”

The paediatrician from Cape Town, who has trained medical professionals all around the world, has received international support from members of the medical community and donations towards his legal costs which are expected to be in excess of $100,000.

If Professor Karabus, who has been stripped of his passport, money and belongings, is found guilty he will have to pay "blood money" to the family of the dead girl, in accord with the UAE legal system.

“The family is absolutely distraught and crying. We’re very despondent,” concluded Mr Bagraim.