Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
A GULFWEEKLY journalist has been the victim of a cyber-hate campaign with her face being doctored on to the bodies of scantily-clad models and her email address being forwarded to perverts preying on women caught up in the sex industry.
The criminal, or criminal gang, attempted to extort money from the newly-wed with the threat of terrorising her more if she reported the attacks to the authorities … and started sending links to factious websites and trying to shame her in front of family, friends and work colleagues.
Whereas some vulnerable young Arab women may have been forced into paying out to prevent their good name being slandered our Mai Al Khatib-Camille is made of sterner stuff and has the full backing and support of her loved ones and employer.
“You won’t get me down,” said the defiant 32-year-old journalist. “The people who know me and care about me know the truth and that’s all that matters. You cannot give in to them.”
The police are investigating the official complaint made by Mai and hope to track down those responsible. A high-tech cyber-crime unit has been set up and detectives are determined to bring the misery-makers and law-breakers to justice.
GulfWeekly will back them all the way. When the criminals appear in court and are sentenced we would welcome the opportunity to name and shame them. “The front page is all yours,” said Editor Stan Szecowka.
