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Elizabeth Dunbar
St. Paul, Minn.

Christmas in Abu Dhabi jail for Woodbury man

Shezanne Cassim
Shezanne Cassim of Woodbury, Minn. A rights group and family attorney said Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2013, that Shezanne, 29, posted a parody video about youth culture in Dubai. Shezanne is the first foreigner arrested under tougher measures governing Internet use in the United Arab Emirates, according to the London-based Emirates Center for Human Rights.
Courtesy Shervon Cassim / Via AP

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A University of Minnesota graduate detained in the United Arab Emirates since April for posting a video on YouTube had his sentencing hearing delayed for a sixth time on Monday.

Shezanne "Shez" Cassim remains in prison in Abu Dhabi. Another hearing was set for Dec. 23.

Cassim's family said they are disappointed he won't make it back to Woodbury, Minn., for Christmas.

"We cannot tell you how much heartache our family feels every day," Cassim's brother, Shervon Cassim, said in a news release.

The family had been hoping the case would be resolved after the court received a translation of the video in question. The amateur comedy sketch features Cassim and several friends talking about a fictitious martial art.

Authorities in the United Arab Emirates said the video endangered national security under a federal cybercrimes law.

"Now we are in wait-and-see mode again and Shez won't be home for Christmas, which has been our mother's prayer," Shervon Cassim said.

If the hearing is held next week as planned, the court could release him or hand down additional jail time. Cassim's supporters said he has not been fully informed of the crimes he's being charged with and that the United Arab Emirates is violating his human rights.