Devastated family of an Australian grandfather detained in Qatar over bounced cheques fear he will die in the Middle East after 'being forced to sign a confession written in Arabic
- Amnesty International Australia is calling on the Foreign Minister to intervene
- Joseph Sarlak has been in prison since 2016 over bounced cheques allegations
- He is now in detention as his visa ran out and needs a local sponsor to get one
- Mr Sarlak has serious heart problems, and his family fears he could die in jail
Human rights campaigners and the family of Australian building boss Joseph Sarlak are appealing to the Australian government to intervene to bring the grandfather home.
Amnesty International Australia is pleading with Foreign Minister Marise Payne to demand the release of the 70-year-old grandfather, amid fears he may die in the Qatari prison where he's been holed up since 2016.
Mr Sarlak, who lived in country NSW, was jailed when his building company Clearspan Technologies ran into financial trouble.
Being responsible for bouncing cheques is a criminal offence in Qatar, the Middle-Eastern nation that borders Saudi Arabia, and resulted in his arrest.
It's understood Ms Sarlak wasn't appointed a lawyer, had no trial, and was forced to sign a confession written in Arabic.
Amnesty International Australia is pleading with Foreign Minister Marise Payne to demand the release of grandfather Joseph Sarlak, 70, amid fears he may die in the Qatari prison where he's been holed up since 2016
Mr Sarlak claims he took the blame for his former Qatari business partner - a sheikh from the ruling Al Thani clan - over the bounced cheques.
Mr Sarlak has been in a grisly Qatari prison for three years, but is now being held in detention as his visa has run out, and he can't get one without a local sponsor.
Amnesty International Australia campaigner Tim O'Connor told 9 News that they have asked Ms Payne to work with Immigration Minister David Coleman to secure a visa for Mr Sarlak.
'Mr Sarlak has been languishing in jail because he does not have a visa to leave the country - something the Australian government could very easily remedy,' he said.
'His family has grave concerns about his health as he suffers from heart disease, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and arthritis, and they want him returned home as soon as possible.'
Mr Sarlak's daughter Layla (middle) said she worries about her father dying behind bars. Pictured with her father and brother, Keyan
Mr Sarlak's daughter Layla said she worries about her father dying behind bars.
'The thing that hurts the most is I feel like he holds pain that he has failed his children,' she said.
'I was unaware of the seriousness of what was actually happening. I know he doesn't want to stress me out.
'Primarily, the major concern is his age. He always has cardiologist appointments'.
Mr O'Conner has urged the Australian government to act before it's too late.
'We are looking for our government to show a bit of concern for Joe after three hard years that he has been through.'
Mr Sarlak was born in Iran before he moved to Australia as a young man.
He raised his daughter Layla and her brothers Keyan, 36, and Faid, 39, in Albury, NSW with wife Barbara, who has passed away from cancer since he's been in prison.
Following their divorce about 20 years ago, he moved briefly back to Iran before emigrating to Qatar for work.
Share this article
Things started going south for Mr Sarlak in 2016, when his business Clearspan Technologies was accused of bouncing cheques.
At the time, Mr Sarlak claimed a former employee started a rumour he intended to skip the country while his business was failing, which would have been a criminal offence.
While he claimed it was false, his business partner launched a criminal case against him.
He was arrested in July 2016 when he went to a police station to try and clear his name.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said they are providing consular assistance but will not discuss individual cases.
Being responsible for bouncing cheques is a criminal offence in Qatar, the Middle-Eastern nation that borders Saudi Arabia, and resulted in his arrest
Comments 0
Share what you think
No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.
