Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar made the following statement regarding the decision by the United Arab Emirates to release Shezanne Cassim after eight months in jail. 

“This decision is not just wonderful news for Shezanne, his family and his friends, it is simply the right thing to do,” said Klobuchar. “Jailing this young man for months for posting a harmless video made absolutely no sense, especially in a country that prides itself on being a tolerant and just nation. Shezanne’s family never gave up on this fight, and having their son home safe is the best start to 2014 I can imagine.”

Klobuchar has been working to get Shezanne Cassim released from prison since the family contacted her office in April. She has been in close contact with the family and State Department officials, and met with the U.S. Ambassador to the UAE and worked directly with the UAE Ambassador to the U.S. to advocate for his return home. She also pushed to have Cassim’s sentence include his time served, which is a major factor in the UAE’s decision to release Cassim.  

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