American Couple in Qatar, Cleared in Child’s Death, Petition to Lift Travel Ban
RICK GLADSTONE DEC. 1, 2014
DOHA, Qatar — An American couple in Qatar who spent nearly two years fighting accusations they had killed their adopted daughter from Ghana were acquitted of wrongdoing on Sunday in an emotional courtroom reversal by an appellate judge who said that they were good parents and that the prosecution had no case.
But the joy and relief expressed by the couple, Matthew and Grace Huang of Los Angeles, gave way hours later to new frustrations and fear, as Qatari immigration officials prevented them from leaving the country even though the appellate judge had said they were free to go home.
Tensions at Doha’s international airport escalated as the Huangs, escorted by legal representatives and the United States ambassador, Dana Shell Smith, were told a travel ban on the couple was still in effect. It was unclear why.
Ambassador Smith and other American diplomatic officials went into private talks with the Qataris, but by Sunday evening there was no resolution. Read full article here…