Canadian man’s Dubai life sentence is overturned and he arrives safely home

Mississauga, ON – Maurice Kevin O’Rourke, the 64-year-old Canadian who was sentenced to life imprisonment in the United Arab Emirates for possessing medical cannabis to manage his Addison’s disease, has been freed following an appeal and has returned safely home. His release comes after a months-long campaign led by Radha Stirling, founder and CEO of Detained in Dubai.

O’Rourke received his final judgment on 26 February 2025 and was released shortly thereafter, arriving home in Canada on the 1st of March. Although originally handed a life sentence, the court reduced the punishment to a 10,000 AED fine, which was deemed paid by time served. He was not deported, but did pay a visa overstay fine before departing the UAE.

His wife Pamela thanked Stirling, “He received his judgement on Feb 26, was released and was home on March 1. Since he got home, he has been working on regaining his health, which continues to be a struggle after 8 months of not receiving the proper medication. I still find it hard to understand, but after so much uncertainty, fear and anxiety, we are quietly enjoying being home and just regrouping."