By Canadian Press

Quebec geologist detained in Dubai has been ordered released, lawyer says

Jun 10, 2020 | 2:07 PM

MONTREAL — The lawyer for a Quebec geologist who has been jailed in Dubai after allegedly uncovering fraud in a gold company says all the criminal cases against her client have been dropped.

Radha Stirling says the charges against Andre Gauthier have been dismissed and the country’s ruler and attorney general have ordered he be let go, however he will likely have to remain in the country to face the civil charges stemming from the same affair. 

The Gauthier family says Andre was a whistleblower who alerted authorities in the United Arab Emirates to irregular dealings in a gold-trading company, Gold AE.

But they claim he became one of the scapegoats in the $30-million fraud after the real perpetrators left the country and the company’s investors filed cases against him.

Stirling says Gauthier remains in prison but his team is investigating the process of releasing him.

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat's Adopt-A-Rink program still seeking volunteers

13h ago

HOLIDAYS

Medicine Hat Kiwanis hosting Christmas dinner

Dec 06, 2024

IN THE COMMUNITY

CHAT News producer makes 'emotional' return to Medicine Hat's old arena

Dec 06, 2024

After that, she says Gauthier’s lawyers will work to get the civil cases cancelled and his passport restored so he can come home to Canada.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 10, 2020.

The Canadian Press