01 December 2021 A football coach who was jailed in Dubai after four bottles of vape liquid containing cannabis oil were found in his car has had his sentence reduced. Billy Hood, 24, claims he was forced to sign a confession written in Arabic despite not speaking the language. He was originally jailed for 25 years but had his sentence reduced to 10 years at an Abu Dhabi court on Tuesday, campaign group Detained in Dubai said. Mr Hood, from west London, claimed the oil was left by a friend. His mum Breda Guckion said the result of the appeal was "not really welcomed". She told BBC Breakfast: "Billy has done nothing wrong. We thought we were going to find out that Billy was going to be able to come home. "He's been told that the charges against him have been dropped yet he is still there for another ten years - it's heart-breaking. "He's been able to phone a couple of times, he says it's okay but you can hear in his voice that he's not. "Billy is quite strong-hearted and upbeat, but you can hear the fight in him is going." Forced confession The Abu Dhabi General Directorate for Drug Control (GDDC) said it found cannabis oil and 570 individual cartridges to be used for substance vaping. Substantial amounts of cash and "an electronic hookah" were also found in his car on 2 February, shortly after he moved to the country. Mr Hood, who played semi-professional football for Kensington and Ealing Borough FC, told Detained in Dubai police had unexpectedly turned up and demanded to search his home and car. Vaping cannabidiol (CBD) oil is legal in the UK and has become extremely popular - typically used to relieve pain, anxiety or stress. The Foreign Office advise there is a "zero-tolerance for drugs-related offences" in the UAE. Sentences for drug trafficking can include the death penalty and possession of even the smallest amount of illegal drugs can lead to a minimum four-year jail sentence. Detained in Dubai chief executive Radha Stirling said Mr Hood was "forced to confess to federal crimes with promises of his imminent release". "He was given both a carrot and a stick, so some prosecutor could get his dues. It's all too familiar a story," she said. "Dubai's overzealous prosecution has ruined this young man's life and put him and his family through hell." The Foreign and Commonwealth Office said it was "giving consular support to a British man who has been imprisoned in the UAE". He claimed the oil was left by a friend who had been visiting from England two weeks earlier. But Mr Hood, from Notting Hill, claimed he was forced to sign a confession after being pressured by local law enforcement. The Unite Arab Emirate's (UAE) public prosecution denied this, claiming Mr Hood had access to an English interpreter at all relevant stages, including his questioning, confession and trial. In a statement, the prosecutors said: "Mr Hood was convicted based on evidence including the items found in his possession, information on his phone, third party statement, and his own confession."Vaping cannabidiol (CBD) oil is legal in the UK and has become extremely popular - typically used to relieve pain, anxiety or stress. The Foreign Office advise there is a "zero-tolerance for drugs-related offences" in the UAE. Sentences for drug trafficking can include the death penalty and possession of even the smallest amount of illegal drugs can lead to a minimum four-year jail sentence. Detained in Dubai chief executive Radha Stirling said Mr Hood was "forced to confess to federal crimes with promises of his imminent release". "He was given both a carrot and a stick, so some prosecutor could get his dues. It's all too familiar a story," she said. "Dubai's overzealous prosecution has ruined this young man's life and put him and his family through hell." The Foreign and Commonwealth Office said it was "giving consular support to a British man who has been imprisoned in the UAE". Detained in Dubai: http://www.detainedindubai.org Radha Stirling: http:///www.radhastirling.com Due Process International: http://www.dueprocess.international Podcast: http://www.gulfinjustice.news Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6KH20nwiZKSKEST4EyMHej Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/detainedindubai Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/detainedindubai2008 YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/detainedindubai Email: info@detainedindubai.org

On his two year freedom anniversary, Artur Ligeska thanks Radha Stirling for her work in the campaign to #FreeArtur. Sadly, Artur passed away just days after sending this voicemail to Stirling. Artur Ligeska was tortured in Abu Dhabi prison before being exonerated of the charges against him. After his release, he wrote a book and released a documentary. Artur's memory will live on and we will always continue to advocate for the abuse of foreign nationals in the UAE to stop! We love you Artur.

A British man stranded in Ukraine for a year over a bounced cheque he did not write has returned home. Robert Urwin, 68, from South Shields, was detained over claims he wrote the cheque for more than £30,000 in Dubai 13 years ago. He was cleared and released in Ukraine in December 2018 but was unable to travel home because of an Interpol red notice that remained in place. The Foreign Office said he arrived back in the UK on Saturday. Mr Urwin was accused of writing the cheque on his personal account while in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It was paid into a branch of HSBC in Dubai in 2006, a year after he left the UAE, when it bounced. Campaign group Detained in Dubai said the bank asked Interpol to issue a red notice, which notifies member countries that a person is wanted. Mr Urwin was detained in Ukraine and faced extradition proceedings before being cleared. He successfully argued he was the victim of identity fraud but was unable to travel home because the red notice had not been removed from Interpol's database, Detained in Dubai said. Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai, said: "We appealed successfully to Interpol for the removal of the abusive red notice, and we received files from Ukrainian officials indicating that local police had no complaint against Robert in their database, yet he had still not been cleared to exit the country." She said it took more than 40 days since Interpol to delete the red notice, adding that the UK government "stepped-up" to help. HSBC and Interpol have been approached for comment.

William Barclay had been accused of trying to exchange a fake £20 note during a family holiday. Radha Stirling, of Detained in Dubai, who represented Mr Barclay, said that without international support and publicity, he could have been held for many months, if not years, which has been the case with other British nationals. Mr Barclay said: "I was just glad to get out, see my family - that was the most important thing. On Wednesday, it was confirmed the case against him had been dropped and he would be able to return home. The father-of-two maintains his innocence and says he has no idea how he came into possession of the counterfeit cash. He also criticised how the UK embassy handled the situation, claiming he had no help. Mr Barclay said: "I don't know what a fake note looks like, that's the truth. "The (UK) embassy did nothing for me. The government over there only started helping me last night because of Radha Stirling's work. "If it wasn't for the press, I wouldn't be back today."

The late David Oliver's sister Beverly Thornton. "David was arrested off the plane in Dubai due to a debt. He spent three months in jail with horrible conditions and thirteen months homeless in the streets of Sharjah. It's not until I contacted Radha Stirling from Detained in Dubai who advocated so strongly for David that within two weeks, David was released. I'm ever so grateful. So is his family, the rest of his family and David was so grateful to Radha. As he called you his 'rock star' and bless you, and thank you". Story: An American academic has been 'held hostage' in the Middle Eastern city state of Dubai over an unpaid debt for more than a year and suffered a stroke while behind bars, his family revealed Tuesday. David Oliver, 62, from Cincinnati, Ohio, was stripped of his passport and thrown in a prison cell by airport guards who allegedly bragged: 'Look, we got an American.' The creative writing lecturer had been living in Dubai with his ex-wife, working at the American University in the emirate. But after 20 years in the region he was locked up when he lost his job and failed to repay a $70,000 debt. The country criminalizes debt and banks and landlords can send someone to jail with a document showing a check bounced. Oliver's nightmare stemmed from a $70,000 debt he incurred when living in Dubai with his then wife. adha Stirling, CEO of the British-based NGO Detained In Dubai who is representing Oliver, called for the UAE to reform its financial laws. She said Oliver has 'zero chance' of repaying his loan, adding: 'He took the loan in good faith, but his circumstances changed beyond his control. 'If the UAE had operational bankruptcy laws, David would likely be home already. 'While there has been a lot of discussion over the past few years about implementing modern bankruptcy regulations, movement so far has been ineffective. Stirling continued: 'We are dealing with a number of people who are looking at spending the remainder of their lives in prison. 'Even the people currently outside of prison are not allowed to work and when whatever money they had runs out, they are forced to beg for food or rely on charity. 'Holding a debtor hostage in the hope they have a wealthy relative to bail them out is both immoral and unfair.' She added: 'When I spoke to David, he had clearly been emotionally damaged by the time in prison and the separation from his family. 'He could not see any way out but holds hope that he will be reunited with his family again soon.' 'Unfortunately we have many similar cases in the UAE with people who can neither pay their debts nor leave Dubai to seek employment elsewhere.' https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5126465/American-lecturer-held-hostage-Dubai.html

"I'm Jamie. A few year's back, I fell foul to the laws of Dubai. I was facing some serious charges there that don't make any sense to westerner's at all. I would just really like to thank Radha Stirling and Detained in Dubai for taking my story to the media after spending four months stuck there on bail, nearly losing my house and everything, for taking it to the media and exposing the story for how silly it was. I just can't thank them enough. Thank you very much, most appreciated. Story: Public indecency case against Briton dropped by Dubai government. A Scottish man who was prosecuted in Dubai for touching a man’s hip has been freed a day after being sentenced to three months in jail, his supporters have said. Jamie Harron, 27, was told on Monday morning that the case against him had been dropped by special order of the United Arab Emirates prime minister and ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, according to the campaign group Detained in Dubai. Harron was initially arrested for public indecency for touching a man’s hip as he carried a drink through a crowded bar in Dubai on 15 July. The electrician, from Stirling, claimed he was simply trying to avoid spilling his drink when he brushed past the man at the Rock Bottom bar. The Detained in Dubai advocacy group, which has been supporting Harron, said on Monday he had been handed back his passport at a police station and told he was free to leave. The government of Dubai has not responded to the Guardian’s request for confirmation. On Sunday Harron was sentenced to three months in prison for the public indecency charge and told he faced further court proceedings for drinking alcohol and allegedly swearing at the businessman he touched. Radha Stirling, the chief executive of Detained in Dubai, said Harron was “understandably nervous” when he was called in by the police on Monday morning. When he arrived at the police station, she said, his passport was returned and he was told he was free to go. “The charges were dropped, the sentence annulled, and he faces no order for deportation. This came by direct order from Sheikh Mohammed.” Stirling added: “We wish to express our deepest gratitude to Sheikh Mohammed for his personal intervention in this case, and for exonerating Jamie at long last. It has now been established that the allegations against Jamie were entirely unwarranted, defamatory and meritless, to such an extent that the ruler of the country found it necessary to step in and correct the wrongful action of the public prosecutor and to quash the judgment of the court. “This was a courageous and honourable decision on the part of Sheikh Mohammed, and while it highlights the urgent need for judicial reform in the country, it is also a hopeful sign that the UAE’s leadership possesses the will and vision to pursue such reforms in the future.” Stirling said on Sunday that Harron had “suffered tremendously” as a result of the allegations, had lost his job, faced losing his home and was struggling to pay his legal bills. He was detained in prison for five days after his arrest, she said, and his family has been unable to visit him without facing imprisonment themselves. Groups that campaign for reforms in the Emirate state welcomed the move but called for Sheikh Mohammed to overhaul the country’s judicial system. About 1.5 million Britons visit the UAE every year, according to the British government, with Dubai an increasingly popular destination for holidaymakers. But the government warns travellers from that UAE laws and customs are very different to those in the UK and that there may be serious penalties for doing something that might not be illegal in the UK. All sex outside marriage is illegal, for example, and public displays of affection are frowned upon and can result in arrests. Alcohol is served in licensed hotels and clubs but it is a punishable offence to drink, or be under the influence of alcohol, in public. The International Campaign for Freedom in the UAE said: “Since the Arab spring of 2011, repression has been rapidly stepped up by the UAE authorities, which has seen both Emiratis and non-Emiratis arbitrarily detained, forcefully disappeared, and in many cases tortured on the most frivolous of charges. “It is imperative that Jamie’s case be understood within this wider climate of repression inside the UAE and that the British government do more to inform its citizens about the real risks and dangers of travelling to the country.”

"I'm Herve Jaubert, Captain of the yacht Nostromo. On March 4, 2018, we were attacked in a savage military style operation, led by Indian and UAE armed forces in international waters. Princess Latifa, and all of us onboard were abducted at gunpoint and Radha Stirling helped saved our lives. She raised the alert and reported our disappearance to the authorities and to the media. Thank you" More: Following the disappearance of Sheikha Latifa Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Jean Pierre Hervé Jaubert, in what can only be described as the most concerning of circumstances, Detained in Dubai (as per the wishes of the parties before their disappearance), has instructed an immediate complaint with the UN Special Procedures Branch, specifically the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, Inhumane and Degrading Treatment and the UN Office of the High Commission for Human Rights requesting their urgent and immediate intervention. Sheikha Latifa made an SOS call to Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai, reporting gunshots while onboard a US registered yacht off the coast of India. It is believed she and her companions were kidnapped in what amounts to a serious breach of international laws. A video made by Sheikha Latifa outlines additional potential crimes, allegedly perpetrated by those whom she was fleeing. Ms Stirling issued a statement “On Sunday the 4th of March 2018, I received a harrowing call from Sheikha Latifa, reporting men outside and gunshots. She was in a panicked state and pleading for help 'Radha, please help me, please help me. There are men outside. I heard gunshots'. Sheikha Latifa disclosed to me her claims in respect of human rights violations, including unlawful imprisonment, torture and abuse. Contact was terminated suddenly and permanently with Hervé and Latifa. Despite enquiries, the whereabouts and status of the parties remains undisclosed. It is rumoured that she, at least, has been abducted and returned to the UAE against her will. Before the incident, I was in contact with both parties, who instructed me to assist them, especially in the event of their disappearance and that is what I am doing. We owe a duty of care to both parties to act, particularly when they are no longer able to act for themselves. Sheikha Latifa disclosed to me her claims in respect of human rights violations, including unlawful imprisonment, torture and abuse, perpetrated against her and her elder sister, as well as other serious crimes against others whom she identified; carried out under the authority of her father.

"Hi, my name is Conor Howard. Last year I found myself in a bit of trouble with the Qatari authorities. Radha and her team luckily stepped in and managed to highlight the issue and got me free. I can never thank her enough for what she's done for me and my parents as well. She really helped out. Thank you." More: Cannabis Grinder Scot jailed in Corfu celebrates New Year as drug charges dropped by Middle East prosecutors. A Scot who faced a year behind bars in the Middle East after being caught with a cannabis grinder has celebrated Christmas at home after prosecutors dropped drug charges. Conor Howard, from East Lothian, was locked up in Corfu after he flew out to visit his mum and stepdad in August. The 27-year-old, known as Milky to pals, was arrested on an Interpol notice after Qatar authorities said they found drugs on him when he passed through the Middle Eastern state last October on the way back from a work trip to Australia. He was released and thought his ordeal was over until being arrested in Greece months later where he spent weeks in a cell. The Scot is now celebrating after Middle Eastern prosecutors dropped drug charges following a campaign backed by influential lawyer Radha Stirling and Kenny MacAskill MSP. Following a court hearing on the Greek island at the start of November, Conor was told he was 'free to go'. He hopes to put his hellish experience 'in the past' after he returned home to Scotland to ring in the new year with his girlfriend. Speaking of his ordeal Conor said: "There were times in the cell in Greece that I thought I might never get back home again. "I had no idea what was happening to me day to day so I'm obviously very happy to be home and seeing people and getting back to normal. "When we had finished the hearing I got an email from Kenny MacAskill's office saying it all the charges in Qatar had been dropped. "I've been trying to get in touch with the British embassy and Qatar just to be double sure that this doesn't happen again. "But I'm happy this is the end of it and I can leave it in the past. " During his weeks in jail Connor said he made unlikely allies with his two cell mates- who spoke nearly no English. He added: "I was in a quarantine cell for 17 days with two other guys. "They didn't really speak English and they were from Albania. "But we got close and spoke just through writing and drawing pictures on a notepad. "When you're stuck in a room together you have to make friends." Stepdad Robert said Christmas came early for the family who managed to get on the last direct flight back to the UK in time for the festive period. He said: "Everything is now clear, we are all back home and it is fantastic. "We got back from the court hearing and were told that it had all been dropped by Interpol and the Qataris. "We managed to get the last direct flight back to the UK from Corfu. "It was a great early Christmas present." Conor's picture has now been removed from the Interpol website. He spent the holidays at his home in Tranent while Robert and mum Adele enjoyed the festivities in Prestonpans. Robert added that Conor had now been given back his old job in train repairs. He said: "I think he is now just looking to the future and looking to put the whole thing in the past. "It was a hellish experience for the family. "But now he is looking forward and trying to forget it. "He is looking at buying a house with his girlfriend and has his job back. "We are all just settling back into it I think." Radha Stirling said the upcoming World Cup in the country forced prosecutors to drop charges in what would have been a 'potential PR nightmare for the state'. She said: "Qatar would not have wished for Conor to be arrested again in another country. "Such an arrest would have raised too much media alarm against the country that’s been under a lot of media scrutiny this year. “I am very happy we were able to bring Conor home and privileged to have helped him and his lovely family.” During the legal battle over Conor, pals and family dug deep to support the Scot raising thousands for the family. Robert added: "We have been over-the-moon with the support we have received. "We are all now looking forward."