Philippetemporary's Blog

Constructive Reconstruction

philippetemporary — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 10:40:55 +0000

It looks like we’re moving forward. In order to give negotiations all chances to succeed, I will be putting my blog offline for a little while. You will still be able to follow my story on Twitter.

CU soon, hopefully in Belgium.

Philippe

It's in The National

philippetemporary — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 13:36:46 +0000

Thank you so much to The National for covering my story. It was published last Thursday in the United Arabic Emirates.

Check it out.

Thank you!

philippetemporary — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 16:17:52 +0000

Dear friends,

You have been incredibly supportive in all ways! Thanks to your help and support, I will be able to pay for a proper lawyer and appeal the check case judgment in time! I don’t know how to thank you enough!

I wish I could say, “It’s over, I’m coming home!” Unfortunately, I can’t. Not to mention the personal and emotional losses, the past and present legal expenses in the different cases against me keep adding up. And this legal battle is one that is going to take maybe longer than we all want. That’s why I’m imploring your continued help and support, mentaly and financialy as small as it may be, until I’ll be back home, safe and sound.

For all those who have donated: thank you! I want to create all the openness and honesty needed towards my expenses and the costs of my trials. If there is more donated than costs, I will donate it myself to a good cause. Feel free to ask or comment about this anytime.

Philippe

Guilty – 3 years in prison

philippetemporary — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:36:35 +0000

“3 years”, that’s the announcement I received this morning in criminal court when I wanted to get an update on the boucing check case.

That was the judgement, even though I have personally paid the guarantee of 128.500 QR covering company debts, even though I have a very strong case, even though I submitted a detailed report during my hearing last week. For my (non-Qatari) lawyer, it is clear that the judge didn’t even look at the report.

Only solution: appeal! I have 8 days.

But in appeal, representation by a Qatari lawyer is mandatory. And that is… not affordable.

Estimated cost: 4.000 euro.

I have no choice, but to ask for help. Your help.

Problems with Paypal? These are my bank details:

KBC Heverlee Centrum
Naamsesteenweg 167
3001 Heverlee – Belgium
Philippe Bogaert
734-3492607-34
BIC/Swift: KREDBEBB
IBAN: BE68734349260734

Can't stay – can't go

philippetemporary — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 17:36:04 +0000

Find the logic.

As a working person in Qatar, you get a work visa/ID card at the start of your employment.

This ID card is valid for one year. I received mine on May 4, 2008.

According to Qatari law, it is the sponsor’s responsibility to renew this work visa and to pay the 500 QAR fee.

My ID card has not been renewed after its expiration date of May 4, 2009, which means that I actually am staying in the country illegally.

I’ve sent a registered letter to Farukh weeks ago, requesting the extension of my ID. His reaction: “Do it yourself!”

Is this real? Yes it is…

Alone again

philippetemporary — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 11:58:52 +0000

It has been really great to have a moment of fun and birthday celebration.
Unfortunately, it hurts really bad when reality strikes back, hard…!

Alone again, staying behind in 43° Celsius when everyone else is leaving, going back to their countries, their families, their lives.

Birthday

philippetemporary — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 10:47:34 +0000

Today is my 38th birthday.

Walking out of the court room, I heard my children over the phone singing a cheerful melody.
I talked to my loving wife who tried to sound “happy”.
And then a whole lot of messages from friends and family.

I wish I could thank you all in person for your tremendous support.
I wish I was home with you all.
I wish …

Dr Ali gives hope

philippetemporary — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 16:28:26 +0000

This morning I was very well received by Dr Ali Bin Samikh Al Marri, chairman of the National Human Rights Committee in Qatar.

He assured me the Committee fully supports my case and that his organization will do everything to help me find a solution for my situation in a near future.

I have a great feeling about this.

Time will tell. How much time…?

Time will tell.

Farukh does it again

philippetemporary — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 16:05:07 +0000

This morning I was invited at Capital Police station in Doha to give my statement in the “case with Farukh”. I was told that Farukh launched a new police case against me, this time for harassment through my blog.

As a result, although the police officers were very supportive and understanding, I am blocked again in the country until this case is resolved.

Will it ever stop?

Human Rights update

philippetemporary — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 10:22:54 +0000

I’ve just received a call from Qatar’s National Human Rights Committee inviting me for a meeting with their chairman, Dr Ali Bin Samikh Al-Marri, tomorrow at 10.00 AM.

He discussed my case with HE Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalid Al-Thani, Qatar’s Minister of Interior.

Good news? Let’s just wait and see.