On August 18, 2012 Professor Cyril Karabus, a prominent South African
physician, was arrested in Dubai during a stopover en route to his home after attending a
family wedding in Canada.
- Eight months ago Professor Karabus was imprisoned on a charge of manslaughter.
Professor Karabus, a respected oncologist in his in South Africa, learned for the first time that he had been tried in absentia and convicted of manslaughter for care he gave a three-year old Yemeni girl who died of acute myeloid leukemia while he was doing a five-week locum stint in Abu Dhabi ten years before.
- Medical experts were appointed to consider the facts in the case and found no evidence to substantiate the charges. After 17 court delays the judge dismissed all charges with a ruling of not guilty.
- The relief experienced by Professor Karabus and his family was quickly dashed when the prosecutors filed an appeal of the court’s ruling. A hearing on the appeal might begin soon.
- The International Pediatric Association & Indian Academy of Pediatrics joins the World Medical Association, the South African Medical Association, the British Medical Association and many other organizations worldwide asking the UAE to provide Dr. Karabus due process and a fair trial.
- In light of the findings of the medical panel and the action of the judge, the International Pediatric Society believes that Professor Karabus is being treated in a manner that fails to meet international fair trial standards, is innocent of any charge and should be allowed to return home immediately.
All fair minded persons agree, justice delayed is justice denied!
- .We support the decision of the medical panel and the UAE court. Professor Karabus should be freed.( Written on behalf of the IPA Executive Committee, representing pediatricians in more than 150 countries,)
