Featured Image: Redacted diplomatic email referencing Burj Khalifa
Freedom of Information Act (Portugal)
Independent Confirmation of Laura Vanessa Nunes’ Death from the Burj Khalifa
Introduction
In 2016, investigative journalist Mark Saunokonoko contacted me through the Facebook page I had created for Laura, Laura Vanessa Nunes – The Cover Up. Following our discussions, he approached the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and submitted a Freedom of Information request seeking documents relating to Laura’s death.
The material released by the Portuguese authorities included diplomatic correspondence and resulted in a subsequent interview with Luis Câmara, Deputy Head of Mission and Consul at the Embassy of Portugal in Abu Dhabi. Together, these records provide an independent documentary trail relating to Laura Vanessa Nunes’ death.
Freedom of Information Request
Email from Mark Saunokonoko to Anna Bergstrom 3 August 2016
De: Mark Saunokonoko <[email address redacted]>
Enviada: 3 de agosto de 2016 02:11
Para: Anna Bergström
Assunto: FOI request – 03/08/2016 LAURA VANESSA NUNES
Dear Anna,
Under Portugal’s 1993 LADA and Freedom of Information laws, I hereby request the following documents from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
1. All email correspondence (including attached documents) sent and received by Luis Camara of Embassy of Portugal in Abu Dhabi, UAE containing information about the death of Portuguese national LAURA VANESSA NUNES — Dates: November 16, 2014 – 1 February, 2015.
2. All email correspondence (including attached documents) sent and received by Luis Camara of Embassy of Portugal in Abu Dhabi, UAE containing information about the death of Portuguese national LAURA VANESSA NUNES — Dates: May 18, 2015 – 1 June, 2015.
3. All email correspondence (including attached documents) sent and received by Luisa Fragoso of Embassy of Portugal in South Africa containing information about the death of Portuguese national LAURA VANESSA NUNES — Dates: November 16, 2014 – 1 February, 2015.
I look forward to your reply.
Best regards,
Mark Saunokonoko
Request Acknowledged
From: Anna Bergström
Date: 4 August 2016
Subject: RE: FOI request – 03/08/2016 LAURA VANESSA NUNES
Dear Mark,
I confirm the reception of your request.
I will get back to you as soon as I have an answer.
Best regards,
ANNA BERGSTRÖM
Adviser
Documents Released
Email from Anna Bergström to Mark Saunokonoko
27 August 2016
“Please find in attachment the information requested. According to legal provisions in force, personal details such as telephone numbers and email addresses of third parties have been hidden.”
On 27 August 2016, the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs provided the requested documentation, with personal information redacted in accordance with Portuguese law.
Interview with Luis Câmara
Deputy Head of Mission and Consul, Embassy of Portugal, Abu Dhabi
From: Luis Henrique de Noronha Brito Câmara <[email address redacted]>
Date: 26 September 2016 at 20:21
Subject: Questions for Portugal Embassy, UAE – death of Laura Vanessa Nunes
To: <[email address redacted]>
Status: Under FOIA request.
Dear Sir,
1. How was Portugal embassy in UAE informed of Laura’s death?
The Police from Dubai called us in the morning of the 17th November and informed of her death.
2. I refer to two emails sent by Mr Luis Camara on the morning of November 17. First mail sent 07.37AM, second mail at 11.08. The first email refers to Laura falling from the 38th floor of an unspecified hotel. The second mail specified 148th floor of Burj Khalifa.
a) Where and from whom did the incorrect information come from in first email?
The information was given to us by the Dubai Police when we asked where it had happened.
b) Where and from whom did the new information come from in second email?
The information was given to us by the Dubai Police when we asked again where it had happened, during that same morning. I send two emails because I received two important information and thought that, accordingly, I should convey the information to the family.
3. Did Portugal embassy apply for the investigation file from Dubai Public Prosecutor on behalf of Mrs Leona Sykes, mother of deceased? Dubai CID informed Mrs Sykes that the file could only be obtained if Portugal embassy made the request to DPP. Mrs Sykes subsequently asked Mr Luis Camara make that request on her behalf and she has never received a reply or the investigation file.
We asked through the proper diplomatic channels on the 14 April 2015. We did not receive any answer form the UAE authorities. We have insisted but still no answer from the UAE authorities.
4. If Portugal embassy did not apply for the investigation file, will it now do this on behalf of Mrs Leona Sykes?
Not applicable.
Best regards
Luis Câmara
Chefe de Missão Adjunto e Encarregado da Secção Consular
Deputy Head of Mission and Consul
Embaixada de Portugal em Abu Dhabi
Embassy of Portugal in Abu Dhabi
Note: Times recorded in the Freedom of Information material may differ from those appearing elsewhere in the documentary record due to the use of different time zones and recording systems. Further details are discussed in the Appendix to Suicide at the Burj Khalifa.
Related Media Coverage
On 16 November 2017, on the third anniversary of Laura’s death, investigative journalist Mark Saunokonoko published the results of his Freedom of Information investigation in Australia.
“How rich Gulf emirate Dubai covered up woman’s suicide from the top of Burj Khalifa”
Conclusion
The Freedom of Information material obtained in Portugal provided an independent documentary trail that confirmed information previously recorded in diplomatic correspondence and other official records relating to Laura Vanessa Nunes’ death.