Australian field hockey player suspended over attempted cocaine purchase at Paris Olympics
Sydney, Sep 11: Field hockey player Tom Craig has been suspended for 12 months by the sport's Australian governing body for attempting to purchase cocaine at the Paris Olympics.
Craig was arrested but released without charge after trying to purchase the drug in Paris on Aug.7 during a night out after his Olympic campaign ended.
He faced Australian media in Paris after French prosecutors issued a statement confirming the now 29-year-old Olympian — a silver medalist at Tokyo three years ago — was given a criminal warning and released after spending a night in custody.
“Following an investigation into the arrest involving national men's hockey team athlete Tom Craig at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, Hockey Australia's Integrity Unit has imposed a 12-month suspension,” the Hockey Australia statement said Wednesday.
"Six months of this suspension will be served fully, with the remaining six months fully suspended, contingent upon meeting conduct and behavioral requirements.”
Hockey Australia said Craig would remain eligible for selection to the 2025 national men's squad which is expected to be announced at the end of this year.
The Australian men's team placed sixth in Paris.
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Mangaluru man released early from Saudi jail under National Day Amnesty
Mangaluru: A 66-year-old man from Mangaluru, Karnataka, who was serving a three-year jail sentence in Saudi Arabia, has been granted early release under the Kingdom’s National Day amnesty program. The man, identified as Ahmed Imran (name changed), worked as a driver in Jeddah before his arrest in September 2023.
Ahmed’s troubles began during a routine day at work when a neighborhood boy repeatedly harassed him while he was washing his employer’s car. Despite having previously complained to the boy's father about his behavior, no action was taken. Frustrated by the continued disturbances, Ahmed pushed the boy away. However, the boy reported the incident to his father, allegedly exaggerating the events.
The boy’s father lodged a police complaint, which led to Ahmed’s arrest. Following court proceedings, Ahmed was sentenced to three years in jail. Lacking the financial means to hire a defense lawyer, Ahmed was unable to appeal the judgment.
After his sentencing, Ahmed’s family and local leaders from Karnataka reached out for assistance. Dr. & Adv. P.A. Hameed Padubidri, a Riyadh-based pro bono lawyer and social worker originally from Udupi, took up the case. Dr. Hameed and his Saudi legal team worked to resolve the matter, including attempts to negotiate with the complainant. However, these efforts were unsuccessful.
As a final step, Dr. Hameed advised Ahmed’s family to submit a mercy petition to the authorities. Following consistent follow-ups, Ahmed’s case was included in Saudi Arabia's National Day amnesty program, which facilitates the early release of eligible inmates.
Ahmed was released within a year of his sentence, bringing relief to his family in India. Upon his return, he expressed gratitude to his employer in Jeddah and the individuals who assisted him during his ordeal, including Dr. Hameed, K.S. Nasir Asaigoli, a social worker from Mangaluru, and Azhar from Jeddah.
The National Day amnesty program, a regular initiative by Saudi Arabia, offers relief to many individuals, reflecting the Kingdom’s efforts to uphold principles of justice and clemency. Ahmed’s release highlights the importance of community support and legal intervention for expatriates facing challenges abroad.
