UPDATE ON DETENTION OF FILIPINO PASTOR IN DUBAI

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ABU DHABI 000194

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR DRL/CRA, DRL/IRF, DRL/PHD, NEA AND NEA/ARP

E.O. 12958: DECL: 1/13/08
TAGS: PHUM KIRF TC
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON DETENTION OF FILIPINO PASTOR IN DUBAI



1. (U) Classified by Ambassador Marcelle M. Wahba for
reasons 1.5 (b) and (d).


2. (U) This cable has been coordinated with Congen Dubai.


3. (C) SUMMARY: Post is actively engaged in this matter
and will provide updates on future case developments as
they occur. Arrested on 12 November for openly
proselytizing in a shopping mall, Pastor Fernando Alconga
was subsequently released on bail after providing his
passport (and his wife's passport) to the police as
security for his appearance in court. As of 8 January, the
prosecutor has not yet made a decision on whether to
proceed with charges. That same day, Dubai CG spoke with
the Chairman of the Dubai Ruler's Court, expressing the
USG's concern about the case and recommending that the case
be resolved in a quiet manner. The Chairman was receptive
to Dubai CG's comments and promised to look into the
matter. END SUMMARY.

Pastor arrested and detained for proselytizing...
-------------- --------------


4. (C) UAEG authorities and other post contacts report
that Reverend Fernando Alconga, a Filipino citizen, UAE
resident and pastor with the UAE Council of Evangelical
Churches and for the King Redeemer Church in Ras Al-Khaimah
Emirate, was arrested on 12 November 2002 at a shopping
mall in Dubai for proselytizing. Alconga was reportedly
investigated by the Dubai Criminal Investigative Division
after they received a complaint from a Muslim Egyptian
national that Alconga distributed Christian literature at
that same location on 11 November 2002. The Dubai CID
reportedly spoke with Alconga and discovered Christian
literature translated into several languages. Based on
their investigation, the Dubai CID arrested Alconga for
proselytizing.


5. (C) The Dubai Police held Alconga for a short time and
then released him on bail, holding his and his wife's
passports as security to ensure his appearance in court.
(Note: We have been unable to confirm Alconga's release
date, but believe that he was released in mid-December

2002. End note.)


6. (C) UAE authorities and contacts report that, as of 8
January, the prosecutor has not yet made a decision on the
case, i.e., whether to prosecute and, if so, on what charge
and for what penalty (e.g., fine, deportation,
imprisonment). Contacts report that the prosecutor will
notify Alconga of the charge when he makes that decision
and then the trial will begin two weeks after notification
of the charge.

...but allowed to preach actively while on bail
-------------- --


7. (C) Since Alconga's release on bail, he has appeared
before various congregations, speaking about his arrest and
thanking parishioners for their support. (Note: A contact
informs that a Dubai parishioner is paying Alconga's legal
fees. End note.) We have not received any reports that the
police have tried to prevent Alconga from preaching or
otherwise speaking to various religious groups.


8. (C) Post has also learned through contacts that
Alconga's visa was due to expire in January 2003, and that
he was planning an imminent return to the Philippines at
the time of his arrest. It is the opinion of many here
that Alconga chose to proselytize at this time because he
believed that, if arrested, he would be deported and he
planned to leave the country anyway.


9. (C) Alconga's arrest appears to have garnered more
sympathy from religious groups outside the UAE than with
the religious community within the UAE. One member of the
evangelical community in Dubai noted to CG Olson that his
congregation has little sympathy for Alconga, based on the
general feeling that he "went too far." Religious leaders
here confirm that the police do not ordinarily seek out
people expressing religious beliefs and will not interfere
with religious practices unless someone complains about the
practice to the police and the practice is in violation of
the law.

Dubai Ruler's Court weighing options
--------------


10. (C) On 8 January, Dubai CG Olson contacted Dr. Khalifa
Suleiman, Chairman of the Dubai Ruler's Court, and raised
the issue of Alconga's arrest. The CG briefed Dr. Suleiman
on the case and noted that the arrest is the subject of
increasing concern in the U.S., particularly in evangelical
circles. The CG then urged Dr. Suleiman to consider ways
in which this matter can be handled quietly, since it is in
Dubai's interest to act in a way that would minimize
negative publicity on this issue for the UAE. Dr. Suleiman
took the point and readily agreed to look into the matter
as soon as possible. Post will report on Dr. Suleiman's
response when received.


11. (U) COMMENT: Post is actively engaged in this matter.
Although there may be rising concern voiced to Main State
from different U.S. religious groups, we note that we have
heard from only one member of the resident religious
community on this case, the Government Liaison for the UAE
Council of Evangelical Churches, who called to inform us
about the incident. The lack of complaints from the local
religious community likely stems from the fact that members
are aware that Alconga was openly proselytizing in a public
place in violation of the law here and had the misfortune
to distribute literature to someone who later complained to
the police. One contact commented that many believe that
Alconga overstepped what he knew to be the local boundaries
and, in so doing, disturbed what everyone considers an
acceptable status quo regarding religious freedom in Dubai
and the UAE. We have received no indication, however, that
the Dubai police or prosecution will use this case as a
springboard to interfere with religious freedom here
generally. We will provide updates on future case
developments as they occur. END COMMENT.

WAHBA