PRESS
RELEASE
Contact: Paul Ciceri
305/304-7900
pbciceri@gmail.com
“YOU HAVE NO RIGHTS HERE!”
New book details life for an American imprisoned for 33 months in the Middle
East
This timely and chilling story provides a
seldom-seen look from the inside. Paul’s story, culled from notes smuggled out
of prison and from letters to friends and family, provides a truly factual
account of the happenings in Al Wathba, one of the
most notorious Middle East prisons.
A carefree holiday in Greece in the fall of
1998 turned into a nightmare when immigration authorities in Abu Dhabi in the
United Arab Emirates discovered a small amount of cocaine unknowingly stashed
in Paul Ciceri’s backpack. The authorities had been
forewarned by the traveling companion Paul had considered a friend. While in
Athens they had verbal altercations when the friend professed that Americans
were war-mongering imperialists. Previously good-natured, he had apparently become
inflamed after the United States retaliated for the bombings of its Embassies
in Nairobi and Dar es Salem and hid the cocaine in
Paul’s backpack.
Paul’s story, sometimes
shocking, sometimes disturbing, often revealing, but always inspirational, puts
the readers inside the walls of Al Wathba. A deep faith in God, the support of family and
friends, the ongoing efforts of American Embassy staff to secure his release,
and a strong will to survive helped Paul through his 1001-day struggle. Truly
an inspiration to everyone who has faced adversity, Paul continued to thank God
for his many blessings, even as he was subjected to cruelty and unfairness. The
next 33 months are detailed in Paul’s new book “You Have No Rights Here“
It is expected that “You Have No Rights Here”
will be available in book stores nationwide in the fall of 2006. Information
about his book can be found at youhavenorightshere.com.
In the meantime Paul continues to savor every
moment of his freedom knowing what having one’s rights taken away in an unfriendly
foreign land means. Ciceri states, “Travel to and employment in foreign lands
carry with them inherent dangers that Americans need to be better educated to
identify and be wary of to ensure that their safety is protected. With the
recent revelations of Americans’ treatment of Iraqi prisoners at Al Ghraib
prison and the subsequent elevated hatred of Americans it is more important
than ever to be judicious in choosing places to visit. My book will help people
to wake up to the realities of the dangers that can befall them. I dread to
think of what would happen to me if I was still in Al Wathba
prison.”
Author Bio: Prior to moving
to Kuwait from Orlando, Florida in 1997 to work for ELS Language Centers Paul
Ciceri held positions with IBM Canada, Prudential Securities, and PaineWebber. In addition he owned his own personal training and
massage business. At the time of his arrest he was Director of Marketing for
ELS Language Centers for the Middle East and North Africa. He has authored five
books for IBM and Construction Tips for New Home Builders and Creating
a Successful Massage Practice. Paul holds degrees in Applied Mathematics
and Financial Consulting.
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