Tweets in chronological order

This is the story of how I became a prisoner in Qatar. Consider it my Twitter SOS.

http://twitpic.com/63toz – One year ago.

In Belgium, I was a happily married TV producer and the father of two young children, Roxanne & Ralphhttp://www.twitpic.com/63toz

In 2008, I was offered my dream job. A company I had worked for in Belgium, Dialogic, was looking for a broadcast manager in Qatar.

I would be working with The Qatar Marine Festival. It was a great challenge, an opportunity to work internationally.

Sheikha Mozah, the Emir’s wife, was behind the festival. She is a very cool woman.

I was fascinated by the chance to work in an exotic Kingdom on an exciting project. In retrospect, I might have been a bit naïve.

But how could I have imagined that I would soon be a prisoner, far from my family, caught in a drama reminiscent of Kafka’s Trial?

First, more about Qatar: small, rich, ambitious, it wants to make its mark on the world. So why not host an international Marine Festival?

The orders came down from Sheikha Mozah to make it happen.

I arrived in April 08 as one of 53 experts with experience organizing Olympics, international festivals and competitions. Great!

What I didn’t know was that Dialogic’s Qatar operation was already in trouble.

A few months before my arrival the Belgian management had been asked for a bribe by a powerful Qatari official.

They refused, leading to a backlash: the client, the Qatar Marine Festival Organizing Committee (QMFOC), stopped paying its invoices.

In May, QMFOC served Dialogic Qatar with a default notice that we were not delivering up to their standards. Bullshit!

In June, our Belgian managing director was fired for being unable to sustain the relationship with the client. I was asked to take over.

I had been working with government in Europe for years. So I thought, how hard could it be? I accepted the challenge. Bad choice!

It would be the worst decision of my life, and the reason I am now held hostage here.

Allow me to clarify a few things before I continue.

I absolutely don’t blame the Belgian or the Qatari Government for not trying to solve the matter.

On the contrary, I am most grateful to everyone who tried their best to put things in motion, and I know there are many.

If any of them should feel hurt or betrayed by the way I’m telling my story, I sincerely apologize.

Back to the story. To explain why I am held hostage in Qatar, I need to introduce you to my jailor, Farukh Azad.

Officially, Farukh is not my jailor but my “sponsor.” Expats in Gulf countries need someone to “sponsor” them.

A 28-year-old Pakistani, he’s the assistant of Dr. Abdulla Al Kubaisi, Executive Director of the Qatar Foundation.

Three years ago, he got the Qatari nationality because one of his ancestors fought Bahrain in a war without a single gunshot fired.

Before that, Farukh had been the “tea boy” of Sheikh Saoud, at the Qatar Olympic Committee.

Dialogic’s former managing director knew of Farukh from the Olympic Committee and picked him as our sponsor because he trusted him. Nice…

Farukh had signing authority and was given the majority shares in Dialogic’s Qatar operation in exchange for his name on paperwork.

He drives a Porsche Cayenne, paid for by Dialogic Qatar. A pretty sweet deal.

I became the new managing director on July 11. Ten days later, QMFOC cancelled Dialogic’s contract.

July 21, national holiday in Belgium but a black day for me. A good start to my job!

My new mission was to reach a financial settlement with QMFOC, pay the debts and eventually wind up the company.

Unfortunately, cash flow was 0 and the shareholders decided not to pursue QMFOC, which could cost up to half a million dollars.

Good money after bad, they thought. But this left me and the company with no one to back us up.

I was asked to liquidate the company. Then I could pack up and go home. See my wife and kids, who missed me.http://www.twitpic.com/63toz

I organized two general assemblies. The problem was, you need the sponsor to show up or you can’t liquidate

Farukh never showed up. He boycotted both assemblies. So I resigned. There was nothing I could do.

My resignation was accepted by the CEO of Dialogic SA in Belgium, Philippe Housiaux.

But my sponsor, Farukh, refused to accept my resignation. And more importantly, wouldn’t sign my exit permit.

It was October and I was officially a hostage in Qatar.

As a hostage in Qatar, I sought the help of the Qatari security police, who called Farukh to settle the matter.

He told them that I had created a lot of problems for the company. He accused me of criminal intentions and said he could prove it.

I was worried and a bit frightened. I had done nothing but try to resolve a complicated situation which I had inherited.

It was about to get worse.

The next week I found out I had been placed on a no-travel list. If I went to the airport or tried to leave the country, I would be stopped.

This was on top of not having an exit permit. The bad news didn’t end there.

Farukh had launched a court case to make me personally responsible for Dialogic’s debts.

The amount: 16 million Riyals. About € 3.2 million Euros.

Bottomline: Farukh decided to hold me hostage and make me responsible for the company. Why?

Because otherwise, as the sponsor, he might be held responsible for the company’s debts, under Qatari law.

Dialogic Belgium washed their hands of the situation.

They decided the debts were the client’s fault and my imprisonment in Qatar was the sponsor’s decision and responsibility.

They cut off my salary and rent for my accommodations. I had resigned, you see.

Stranded, out of cash, I packed my luggage and went to the Belgium Embassy in Qatar in early December.

“Send me home,” I pleaded.

Sorry, can’t send you back to Belgium,” said the ambassador. He offered me a loan so I could pay for a hotel room.

If you have any idea how expensive hotels are in Qatar, you’ll know why I refused his offer.

So he allowed me to stay at his personal residence. That’s where I am twittering right now, six months later, still held hostage in Qatar.

To support myself, I’m falling back on an old talent. I’m playing the piano and singing in bars and restaurants around Doha.

One of my favorite requests is “Home” by Michael Buble.http://bit.ly/hiMkr

What about my government? What are the Belgian authorities doing?

So far, the Belgian government has been unable to resolve the situation.

I know they are trying. Hard.

It must be said Belgium has a many financial interests in Qatar, which is after all the world’s richest country.

Qatar’s Ministry of the Interior could release me at any time. But they choose not to. Why? Because I have a court case against me.

So just launching a court case against someone is enough to lock him in the country for God knows how long? Yes!

Even though Amnesty International, Qatar’s Human Rights Committee, and Foreign Affairs bureaus in Belgium and Qatar all support me,

the Ministry of the Interior decided not to use their master key to let me go.

Last year, my travel ban was lifted on Christmas Eve with the help of the Belgium embassy, but I was stopped in the airport.

It’s not that I have to stay in Qatar, you see, I’m just not allowed to leave. I don’t have an exit permit.

It reminds me of that Eagles’ song, “Hotel California.”http://bit.ly/8GOf5

My children, Ralph (7) and Roxanne (9), are suffering. http://www.twitpic.com/699cl

They try to come up with escape plans, at least when they are doing well… 

When they aren’t doing well, they cry over Skype. God bless Skype which lets me feel close to them.

But they burst into tears before going to bed which is hard on my truly heroic wife and on me.http://www.twitpic.com/699×9

I worry for their and my own emotional well-being, I miss them so.

I have decided I will keep Twittering about life as a hostage in Qatar in hopes that one day I will be released.

And so others can learn from my ordeal and be aware of the risks.

This is my Twitter SOS. Please spread the word.

So far I’ve explained what happened over the last few months. But of course, there are many side stories.

The process of liquidating Dialogic’s Qatar operation is one of them. Tomorrow, May 31, I’ll be in court for the liquidation hearing.

Farukh, our sponsor and my jailor here, boycotted both General Assemblies last October, refusing the liquidation

Now he has filed a case to push for liquidation after all. How coherent can one be?

What is to be expected? For starters, hopefully all shareholders will be legally represented. Otherwise, nothing happens. Again.

If they are, the judge should appoint a liquidator. He will take over the function of managing director during the procedure.

Best case scenario : the judge appoints a liquidator straight away.

He might then decide not to need my services anymore and accept my resignation.

Worst case : the judge will decide on a liquidator (much) later.

The liquidator might then also decide to keep me in the country during the procedure, and Farukh gets of the hook.

How long might this procedure take ? In Qatar ? You never know…

Once again my fate is out of my hands. Once again I am caught in a dispute not of my making.

Thank you Kafka for writing about such realities. I would not believe it if I didn’t live it myself.

Follow my tweets tomorrow morning, live from the courtroom.

Here I am, 5 minutes late in the middle of chaos. Waiting for my name to be called.

No familiar faces, not understanding a word they’re saying.

Court ajourned. Don’t know what happened…

Trying to locate the judge’s office.

It’s a disaster. If Dialogic Belgium was represented as they told me, the judge was not informed. They were considered absent.

So the case got delayed. Next hearing on November 1…!

Blown away by what happened this morning, I’m trying to get myself back together… I will continue tweeting later today.

Just got a mail from Gulf Times, asking for an interview. The Middle East news is getting involved. Thanks guys! Long live media freedom!

ALERT!!! I have been cut off from facebook, stating “account unavailable” for maintenance reasons. Is anybody experiencing the same problem?

I need to rest. Really becoming paranoic here…

Had a good sleep, finally. Facebook is back on. Thank God! Let the games begin! Tune in for more. And above all, spread the word!!!

600.000 $ blackmail? I have received an interesting comment on the blog…

Since I only arrived in 2008, I was not even in the country at that time… so I am very curious.

Can anybody share any information about the blackmail story in 2007? Who was buying a house in Canada?

If it’s true, if you know anything about it and you can prove it, thanks for easing our curious minds.

Is this why you needed an escape goat? Me?

Last year already, Qatar’s Central Investigation Department informed me they would let me go, if I could find a guarantor for 16 mio QAR.

What a great idea! Six months later, the Ministry of Interior tells me exactly the same thing. At least, they are consequent.

The thing is, who will be crazy enough to take the risk of being a guarantor for 16 mio Riyals? Even if they know I’m innocent?

If you feel like stepping up or if you are a magician, get in touch! I’m right here and I’m not going anywhere (yet).

Thank you AlJazeera English for your highly appreciated interest.

Talking to Gulf Times tomorrow. Great! Another sign of media freedom who is growing day by day in Qatar! Thanks for the interest guys!

Calling my kids on Skype…

No comment… 😦

Just when you think, things can’t get worse. I just had a call from my father.

My grandmother just had a stroke this afternoon. She luckily made it to the hospital and has been stabilized is. Hang in there, Mamy!!!

My granny has a heart condition, but she doesn’t want to get surgery before I get home. At her age the risks of not waking up are very real.

I’m afraid I can’t take this much longer. IT HAS TO STOP!!!!!!!!!

I need to sleep. I can’t get no sleep…

Time is mind consuming…

Just had a great chat with Financial Times. They dig deep. Very deep. Which is exactly what I hoped for! Thanks a lot for your involvement!

Tonight webcam guest live in Villa Vanthilt on Belgian national TV één. Tune in at 10.00 PM Belgian time.

What a great surprise to have my darling on Skype live on TV. Lieve schat, I love you soooo much!!!!

Time to go to bed. Watch out for the white balloons tomorrow! Good night everybody!

We’re back! First radio interview today on radio één from under the sheets. Hm, that didn’t sound too fresh…

30 minutes Special Edition on Bel RTL radio today around 12.30 PM. Tune in en listen live! 

Kids and white balloons, the power of family! Check out the news today on all belgian TV Channels.

Today, my kids Ralph and Roxanne are crying for help through an emotional balloon action, together with all their classmates in Belgium.

They are making a stop at Dialogic Belgium’s office, releasing dozens of white balloons.

They are requesting Dialogic’s help, stating “You hold the key, please release our daddy”.

If they choose to, Dialogic could send a shareholder to release me and take my place in Doha.

The second stop will be at the Embassy of Qatar in Brussels.

They will release balloons again after handing over hundreds of letters from their little friends.

Every letter is addressed to the Emir of Qatar, imploring his help to resolve the matter. They know he is a good hearted family man.

Just saw my kids on the news. I need another box of kleenex…

It’s in The Independent! Check it out!http://tinyurl.com/l6fg4k

Father’s day in far far away land 😦

Just had a call from the Human Rights Committee in Doha. I am kindly invited for a meeting with the chairman Dr Ali tomorrow at 10.00 AM.

Court, Immigration, Human Rights, just another manic monday in Doha…

Unbelievable! I went to court this morning to receive the status on my check case. Result: GUILTY, sentenced to 3 years of imprisonment!

Or, I can pay 500 Riyals to freeze the judgment and appeal. Then I will have to be represented by a Qatari lawyer during the next hearings.

The judgment was made the same day as the hearing last week, meaning that the judge didn’t even look at the report I submitted.

Although my defense in the report is objectively very strong, this way I am being forced to spend another 20.000 Riyals on the case.

Or, although innocent, I can decide to just lose the deposit of 128.500 Riyals that I paid in February to have my travel ban lifted.

Anyway, I guess I won’t go to jail since I paid the guarantee. But I don’t have the extra money anymore. I have 8 days to find it. Help!

Raising funds for lawyer fees in Qatar on Twitter. Thank you to everyone, for your support…! http://tinyurl.com/m7yo8s

Went to Public Prosecution this morning as requested for the “stalking” case launched by Farukh. Result: “Come back on Sunday”. Of course…

1 o’clock news in Belgium today: http://tinyurl.com/klce2y

I want to thank everybody for the tremendous support! You are “hope”. You are “survival”. Thanks ever so much!

It’s in The National. Check it out: http://tinyurl.com/lzjsrl

Paypal error. Damn, just when we’re almost there! Should be fixed in a few hours. Thanks everyone, for everything…!

Fighting with bloody Paypal to solve their administration problem! GRRRR

Paypal is back and we made it! I’m seeing my lawyer tomorrow, thanks to your support! The war is not over, but we’ve won this battle! THX!!!

My name is Philippe Bogaert. I am a hostage in Qatar. But thanks to you, I’m fighting back!

Meeting my lawyer tonight.