DUBAI: The Qatar Academy in Doha has responded to the recent arrest of one of its former staff members who was charged with attempting to solicit sex with a child.
“We are shocked to hear about the allegations made against a former Qatar Academy Doha (QAD) teacher, William Ball,” the school said in a statement sent to Arab News.
“No concerns about his conduct towards children were raised during his employment.”
News broke of Ball’s arrest early Monday morning. Local reports suggested that he was originally from Mississippi and a music teacher at the school. Prior to his employment in Dubai, he was working at the Qatar Academy in Doha.
During a bond hearing in a court in Tampa the prosecutor explained that Ball was using the Internet and a mobile phone to set up and meet a seven-year-old, according to US cable news channel ABC.
The court heard that Ball paid $5,000 for a plane ticket and traveled to meet the child.
On his arrest, he was found to have items for a child, condoms and lubricant, the court heard.
The statement went on to say that the academy was offering support for students, parents and staff: “Qatar Academy recognizes that students, parents and staff may be disturbed by the reports; our counseling staff are on hand to provide whatever support needed,” it concluded.
The academy did not provide any further information about Ball and his employment at the Qatar school, despite requests by Arab News.
Qatar school responds to former teacher’s child sex arrest
Qatar school responds to former teacher’s child sex arrest
US announces ‘large-scale’ strikes against Daesh in Syria
- CENTCOM said operation ordered by President Donald Trump
- Launched in response to the deadly Dec. 13 Daesh attack in Palmyra
WASHINGTON: US and allied forces carried out “large-scale” strikes against the Daesh group in Syria on Saturday in response to an attack last month that left three Americans dead, the US military said.
“The strikes today targeted Daesh throughout Syria” and were part of Operation Hawkeye Strike, which was launched “in direct response to the deadly Daesh attack on US and Syrian forces in Palmyra, Syria” on December 13, US Central Command said in a statement on X.
CENTCOM said the operation was ordered by President Donald Trump following the ambush and is aimed at “root(ing) out Islamic terrorism against our warfighters, prevent(ing) future attacks, and protect(ing) American and partner forces in the region.”
The statement continued: “If you harm our warfighters, we will find you and kill you anywhere in the world, no matter how hard you try to evade justice,” adding that US and coalition forces remain “resolute in pursuing terrorists who seek to harm the United States.”
The statement did not note whether anyone was killed in the strikes. The Pentagon declined to comment on more details and the State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
About 1,000 US troops remain in Syria, while Syria has been cooperating with a US-led coalition against Daesh, reaching an agreement late last year when President Ahmed Al-Sharaa visited the White House.
* With Agencies
