December 23rd, 2013
05:12 AM ET

American gets 1-year sentence for video

Shezanne Cassim, the American jailed in the United Arab Emirates and accused of threatening national security for a video parody, was sentenced Monday to one year in prison and a 10,000 UAE Dirham fine (approximately $2,700).
The young American living in the United Arab Emirates has been imprisoned since April, his family says, for posting what was intended to be a funny video on the Internet.

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Filed under: U.S. • World
soundoff (13 Responses)
  1. Joey Isotta-Fraschini©

    Americans need to learn and obey the laws of countries that they visit.
    I have often watched as my fellow USA citizens smeared our reputation abroad with bad manners that actually broke no laws.

    December 23, 2013 at 7:15 am | Report abuse |
  2. Joey Isotta-Fraschini©

    Russia should focus on sending up more entertainers like Rachmaninoff and Horowitz. They were good.

    December 23, 2013 at 7:27 am | Report abuse |
  3. bobcat (in a hat)©

    I agree JIF. Since the US is such a mixed bag of ethnicities and customs, specific customs don't matter to the average citizen. ( unless of course you are of that ethnicity ) When you go to foreign countries, the peoples of those nations take their customs seriously. If one is planning a trip to another country, it would definitely be in their best interest to learn the customs prior to leaving. It's just a little thing called respect.

    December 23, 2013 at 11:23 am | Report abuse |
  4. saywhat

    Good morning folks.
    Incarceration in the name of national security, we know well. Even cutting a joke (beware@bobcat my friend) can land you in trouble on our soil.
    besides being aware of local laws and customs (especially in places like Thailand & S.Arabia) travelers must remain conscious of heightened national security aspects everywhere.

    December 23, 2013 at 12:46 pm | Report abuse |
  5. chrissy

    Americans need to beware traveling to ANY other countries these days all thanks to that wonderful NSA our elected brats created. Including Israel who has now gotten very angry at the US! And sending them all that money was just throwing it away after the stunts our gov has pulled lately. Now there will be a target on all americans backs.

    December 23, 2013 at 1:20 pm | Report abuse |
  6. Rachel Maddow

    So true. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. That includes following their law and most customs. I wore a vail while doing a story in Afghanistan two years ago.

    December 23, 2013 at 3:27 pm | Report abuse |
    • banasy©

      Was that very uncomfortable? Vail is rather populated in season.

      December 23, 2013 at 6:11 pm | Report abuse |
    • Joey Isotta-Fraschini©

      Brava @banasy R.
      I was plotting a metaphysical quip when I saw that you had beaten me there.

      December 24, 2013 at 7:17 am | Report abuse |
  7. Rachel Maddow

    Oops. Meant "veil" not "vail."
    Thank you.

    December 23, 2013 at 11:07 pm | Report abuse |
  8. chrissy

    Lol.@ Joey "plotting"??? Who knew?

    December 24, 2013 at 3:47 pm | Report abuse |
  9. RUFFNUTT ( D.M.I. ALLIANCE LOGISTICS OFFICER )

    wasn't so funny meow was it...

    December 28, 2013 at 1:12 pm | Report abuse |
  10. MI Snowman

    What was the video about? Anyone know?

    January 6, 2014 at 11:05 am | Report abuse |
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