Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar made the following statement regarding the decision by the United Arab Emirates to sentence Shezanne Cassim to a year in prison.

“Keeping a young man in jail for a year for simply posting a video that meant no harm is outrageous, especially given the fact that the defendants from the United Arab Emirates appeared to get lighter sentences. The UAE holds itself out to be among the most tolerant and just nations in the region, but this sentence is unjust and unreasonable. I will continue to work with State Department and UAE officials as well as Shezanne’s family to make sure we get him home as soon as possible.”

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