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US ambassador expresses regret over handcuffing of Emirati

FILE -- In this Feb. 8, 2016 file photo, Emirati officials visit an exhibition at the World Government Summit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. In a tweet late Saturday, July 2, 2016 from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned its citizens to avoid wearing traditional garments when traveling abroad after an Emirati man was handcuffed last week in Ohio over terrorism fears. Local media reported Sunday that Emirati national Ahmed al-Menhali was detained at gunpoint last week while wearing a traditional white kandura, or ankle-length robe, and headscarf in Avon, Ohio after a hotel clerk raised suspicions he could have links to the Islamic State group. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili) FILE -- In this Feb. 8, 2016 file photo, Emirati officials visit an exhibition at the World Government Summit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. In a tweet late Saturday, July 2, 2016 from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned its citizens to avoid wearing traditional garments when traveling abroad after an Emirati man was handcuffed last week in Ohio over terrorism fears. Local media reported Sunday that Emirati national Ahmed al-Menhali was detained at gunpoint last week while wearing a traditional white kandura, or ankle-length robe, and headscarf in Avon, Ohio after a hotel clerk raised suspicions he could have links to the Islamic State group. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)

By Associated Press July 4, 2016 1 min read

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) – The American ambassador to the United Arab Emirates has expressed regret over the handcuffing of an Emirati man wearing traditional garments in Ohio over terrorism fears.

Ambassador Barbara Leaf said in a Facebook post on Monday that Emirati national Ahmed al-Menhali endured an “unfortunate incident” when police detained and searched him at gunpoint last week after a hotel clerk raised suspicions he could have links to the Islamic State group.

He was wearing a traditional white kandura, or ankle-length robe, and headscarf at the hotel.

Officials in the Cleveland suburb of Avon have apologized to the man. The Emirates responded to the incident by summoning U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission Ethan Goldrich and warning its citizens to avoid wearing traditional garments when traveling abroad.