Léopold Ngnepi Kankeu and Georges Toumi Kandza, two distinguished businessmen of African descent, recently endured a deeply distressing experience in Qatar, where their legally acquired diamonds were seized by the police amidst a transaction in a prominent hotel in Doha. Despite possessing perfectly certified stones that had lawfully entered Qatari territory, the duo found themselves victims of a forceful police raid, conducted without an arrest warrant or search authorization.
The initial justification for the raid revolved around allegations of foreign currency counterfeiting. However, no such contraband was discovered either at the hotel or on the persons of the two Cameroonian nationals. Following a six-month period of remand, during which the allegations fizzled due to a conspicuous absence of evidence, the Qatari judicial authorities ultimately decided to cease all legal action against Kankeu and Kandza, both of whom also hold French and Canadian citizenship, respectively. Strikingly, the same order inexplicably recommended the destruction of the diamonds in their possession at the time of their apprehension—an act that can only be characterized as an egregious form of judicial theft, especially given that the authenticity of these exquisite gemstones has never been called into question.
A Brutal Detention
On September 26, 2021, a cadre of undercover police officers descended upon a hotel in Doha, where Léopold Ngnepi Kankeu and Georges Toumi Kandza were poised for a final meeting regarding the sale of their diamonds to a Qatari buyer. The two men found themselves violently subdued, handcuffed, and their diamonds confiscated—a shocking escalation that marked the onset of a grave misfortune, as they were instantaneously relegated to the status of petty criminals. This designation was particularly unjust, considering their extensive history of legitimate dealings with Qatari partners that spanned millions of dollars. Initially, they were stripped of their cash, nearly $10,000, only to have it returned to them later.
Absence of proof led to the unjust remand of Kankeu and Kandza until March 27, 2022. The allegations of foreign currency counterfeiting quickly evaporated in light of insufficient evidence to warrant any preliminary investigation into potential charges. “It became apparent that they were not connected to any trafficking of counterfeit banknotes and had no link whatsoever to the accusations levelled against them,” elucidated their lawyer, Vincent BRENGARTH.
Thus, these two men were deprived of their liberty under exceedingly precarious conditions, with no valid justification. A judicial pause spanning six months ensued, during which no developments occurred in their case. “From September 2021 to March 2022, they were held in detention by the Qatari authorities on entirely unjustified grounds, encountering substantial challenges in accessing the evidence against them,” lamented their lawyer, Brengarth, a partner at the prestigious William Bourdon law firm.
Following considerable pressure exerted by their legal counsel and the French and Canadian diplomatic representations in Doha, the Qatari authorities eventually released the two men and issued an order waiving all legal proceedings against them. “While Qatar is relatively accustomed to such instances of arbitrary detention, which periodically make headlines, we successfully garnered exceptional evidence, particularly an order explicitly stating that there would be no intention to take legal action against them,” expressed the lawyer with evident satisfaction.
Severe Bigotry During Detention
While no legal proceedings were initiated against them, Léopold Ngnepi Kankeu and Georges Toumi Kandza found themselves incarcerated in the Capital Security Department, a detention facility reserved for extremely serious offenses. “This decision is entirely unjustified, given that the suspicions surrounding their possession of counterfeit money were swiftly dispelled,” expressed their lawyers in Paris with profound astonishment. They elaborated: “The predicament in which our clients find themselves is one steeped in profound clinical and ethical complexity; they have been rendered incapable of communicating with their loved ones overnight. Furthermore, they have been dispossessed of their belongings and investments, compelled to suspend their professional endeavours for an inordinate duration spanning several months.”
The ‘Vanished’ Diamonds
In the wake of the Qatari authorities issuing an order renouncing any legal proceedings against the two men, the same document also commanded the destruction of their diamonds. “There exists no objective rationale for the diamonds not to have been retained and subsequently returned. This constitutes an exceedingly serious matter, and my partner William Bourdon and I are fully mobilized on this issue, as we believe it is crucial for Qatar to be held accountable for the gravity of this arbitrary detention,” asserted Mr. Brengarth.
How does one reconcile the waiver of all legal proceedings with the destruction of property belonging to individuals who have been granted such a waiver? “If, indeed, these diamonds have been destroyed by the Qatari authorities, my clients must be compensated for their intrinsic value,” reiterated the lawyer.
To restore the honour and rights of their clients, the legal team from William Bourdon’s office has appealed to the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, seeking recognition of their clients’ six-month imprisonment as arbitrary and devoid of any legal foundation. Their objective is to ensure that Léopold Ngnepi Kankeu and Georges Toumi Kandza receive comprehensive compensation. “Our challenge is to have this blatant violation of human rights acknowledged and to ensure that the outcome of such recognition translates into reparations for all those we represent, including compensation for the well-established economic damages they have incurred,” concluded Bourdon. Notably, referencing the case to the UN Working Group was not the initial course of action envisioned by the lawyers for Léopold Ngnepi Kankeu and Georges Toumi Kandza. Indeed, they had long aspired to attain an amicable settlement with the Qatari authorities. “It is regrettable that we have had to refer this case to the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, as there could have been a potential for an amicable resolution. Our primary desire was for the Qatari authorities to acknowledge the arbitrary treatment endured by our clients and to provide appropriate compensation not only for the economic and material damages incurred but also for the significant moral harm suffered—an impact that, as one can readily imagine, was considerable for individuals who were subjected to arbitrary detention under such challenging conditions for several months. Regrettably, reaching a consensual settlement proved unattainable, which compelled us to engage with international bodies,” lamented the lawyer.
Guy Nfondop
