ABU DHABI // Friends and colleagues of an American detained in Abu Dhabi have said that a court found him not guilty on Monday during a hearing.
A post on a Facebook community page created to advocate the release of Dr Robert Black announced at about 5pm on Monday what it said was a verdict.
“We don’t know all the details yet, but we believe he will be released tomorrow [Tuesday] morning,” the post read.
The statement went on to say “With incredible gratitude to our global creativity community, Alan’s family and friends, US and UAE officials for positive advocacy. It is a Happy Monday. We will issue a release later today”.
A spokesman for the US Embassy said the embassy was unable to comment because it did not have a privacy waiver for Dr Black.
Dr Black, an architect and author, had been arrested on October 21 after participating in the annual Creative Thinkers conference in Abu Dhabi.
He had been held at Al Wathba prison for allegedly taking photographs of a restricted area, his family and friends said.
Friends, family and other supporters of the 70-year-old, who has diabetes, had raised thousands of dirhams to be used towards legal fees.
A petition created to advocate for the use of diplomacy to work towards Dr Black’s released garnered 3,709 supporters.
lcarroll@thenational.ae
