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As the #UAE desperately tries to spread their government sponsored propaganda, we highlight the case of Andy Neal, who was forced to confess. The #Dubai police alleged they had a witness against him but it was a police incentivised informant who later retracted his statement saying "wrong Andy". After a horrendous year in jail, separated from his family, the PTSD sufferer was finally exonerated. Is that justice though? There are no witnesses against Billy Hood. #FreeBillyHood #DetainedinDubai He spent five months in a Dubai jail before being transferred to al-Sadr prison Al-Sadr is a maximum security prison with tiny cells in neighbouring Abu Dhabi Police had no evidence to convict Mr Neal and based their arrest on hearsay "Campaign group Detained in Dubai, who worked to secure Andy's release, said the move was aimed at avoiding embarrassment over the botched investigation. Radha Stirling , CEO of Detained in Dubai , said: 'His treatment by the UAE is disgraceful. Andy and his family's lives have been turned upside-down because the Dubai police and Public Prosecutor cannot admit that his arrest was a mistake from the beginning. 'The British government has conspicuously failed to stand up for Andy, though he risked his life to stand up for the United Kingdom for over 20 years. The Foreign Office has provided no support for him and his family, and the Foreign Secretary has been silent. In these circumstances, Andy's only recourse is to the United Nations. 'It is outrageous that mere accusation is sufficient in the United Arab Emirates for someone to be treated as guilty; and even more outrageous that proof of innocence can be blatantly disregarded just to protect the professional reputations of those in law enforcement, when a man's life and freedom are on the line.' He was visited by a doctor over concerns about his Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and the former soldier was bluntly told 'it was all in his head.' Andy, who was awarded 17 medals and a bravery commendation during his two decades in the army, was allowed to see his wife once a week while being held in Abu Dhabi. The family enlisted the help of their local MP and Andy's former commanding officer in an attempt to get the Government involved and put pressure on the UAE to speed up his release. A spokesman for London based Guernica 37 Chambers said: 'It is argued on his behalf in the Communication to the UN that this decision to transfer the case to Abu Dhabi is clearly a politically motivated decision on behalf of the Public Prosecutor, given that he is reportedly seeking promotion. 'To release Mr. Neal now would mean that his department would be forced to admit fault, whereas by transferring the case to Abu Dhabi, it is no longer his responsibility. 'Whilst in custody, Mr. Neal has been denied his prescribed medication to treat his diagnosed PTSD following his final tour of Afghanistan. The visiting psychiatrist chose to interrogate Mr. Neal rather than provide any counselling. The protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms ought to go beyond the political posturing of national states; human rights are universal, they are not dependent on diplomatic, trade or military allegiance, and yet governments consistently allow such factors to blinker their policies to the detriment of individuals, rather than discharge their obligation to humanity. In filing this petition of complaint, Guernica urges the UN Special Procedures Branch to circumstances of Mr. Neal's detention, to conduct an inspection of the conditions of his custody and examine the on-going ill-treatment with a view to securing his immediate release and exoneration.'" Originally PUBLISHED12 November 2019 at MailOnline More related resources, media and useful links: 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

British soldier is CLEARED after spending a year in UAE prisons on false drugs charges

As the #UAE desperately tries to spread their government sponsored propaganda, we highlight the case of Andy Neal, who was forced to...

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Detained in Dubai CEO, Radha Stirling , has confirmed in a Gulf in Justice Podcast announcement that Billy Hood will need to report to court on the 30th of November. “The court is now in possession of damning documents that show Dubai police have basically manufactured a case against Billy. This is not the first time and if the British government doesn’t insist things change in the UAE, it won’t be the last”, said Ms Stirling. “Billy has already spent a horrendous nine months in a Dubai jail notorious for human rights violations after being forced to confess to serious crimes in Arabic. Adding yet another delay to his freedom and the review of his defence evidence is gutting to the family and to Billy. Every day an innocent man spends a day in prison is a travesty. “Albert Douglas has been locked up for nine months too. He was forced to sign a confession and was beaten by police causing him to be hospitalised to repair his broken bones. Lee Bradley Brown was killed in police custody and yet the British FCDO has done nothing but trade deals. They are essentially complicit by remaining muted over these abuses.” “The families of Billy Hood and Albert Douglas are calling for increased travel warnings and sanctions against the UAE while the EU parliament voted to boycott Dubai’s expo. “The families have also appealed to Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum to review the evidence and help these men get home to their families” Gulf in Justice Podcast Episodes Gulf in Justice Podcast. Official Podcast of Detained in Dubai with Radha Stirling. Topical Middle East issues with a variety of guests. More related resources, media and useful links: 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

Billy Hood to remain in prison for further six weeks says Abu Dhabi court

Detained in Dubai CEO, Radha Stirling, has confirmed in a Gulf in Justice Podcast announcement that Billy Hood will need to report to...

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Appeal court to review evidence in Billy Hood case in Abu Dhabi tomorrow. Billy Hood, a 24 year old footballer, is about to find out whether he is going to spend 25 years in a Dubai jail over CBD oil that his friend negligently left behind in Billy’s car. Billy was sentenced to 25 years for possessing, selling and trafficking 4 small bottles of contraband CBD oil that was left in his car by a holidaying friend who Billy drove to the airport in January. Ms Divya from Mohammad Al Najjar Advocates says, "We have visited Billy at Al Barsha Police station before his transfer to Al Aweer and he is in high spirits, hopeful for a successful appeal. Lawyer Mohammad Al Najjar will be appearing in Abu Dhabi to vigorously fight for Billy Hood's justice”. Radha Stirling , CEO of Detained in Dubai and Due Process International has reviewed the legal defence, “It is very clear from the evidence that the first court never even heard Billy’s defence at the first hearing. They convicted him based solely on the prosecutorial evidence. This is quite standard in Dubai but can cause enormous and undue stress on the victim, not to mention the escalating legal bills. “The prosecution evidence that Billy was ‘selling drugs’ relies solely on Billy having £4,000 cash in his apartment and they are fully aware this was money paid by his employer for his coaching job. It is appalling that the police charged him with selling drugs and even more appalling that the Judge accepted it. “With regards to trafficking, the prosecutor’s evidence relies solely on the fact that the bottles were purchased overseas. Billy did not traffick the bottles into Dubai. There is simply no evidence of that, but the prosecutors and judges have so far been willing to take this young man’s life away and unfairly persuade a court to sentence him to decades behind bars. “In the allegation of possession, social media communications confirm that the bottles were not Billy’s, did not belong to him and that he had no interest or desire to have them in his possession. Billy should not be punished for the mistakes of his friend. We can not promote a society whereby friends or relatives take legal responsibility for others. Billy’s drug tests all returned negative, confirming again that he is not a drug user and has been completely honest from the onset. Trace elements of hashish remain in the blood for up to two months and his negative test confirms what he and his family have said all along. “We do understand that drug laws need to be enforced, but there is so much pressure to enforce these laws, that innocent people like Andy Neal, Derrin Crawford, Peter Clark and of course, Billy Hood, are winding up in prison for nothing, experiencing the most traumatic times of their lives. None of these people will ever be the same. Some have experienced severe PTSD as a result of their detentions and even refuse to travel ever again. Others have lost their life savings to legal fees, their homes, their families, their reputations and their employment. “There is no compensation for this and possibly nothing that could ever make up for the tragic situation they’ve endured. “Billy’s MP Felicity Buchan confirmed the FCDO consular team will be attending the hearing tomorrow. The FCDO will attend cases that have gained significant media attention but otherwise, will simply provide a list of local lawyers and wish them the best of luck. “Billy’s lawyers will call us as soon as they have news tomorrow, likely just after lunch and we will announce it on our Facebook page ”. BBC Interview with Radha Stirling & Billy Hood family - sentenced for CBD vape oil in Dubai #FreeBillyHood More related resources, media and useful links: 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

Lawyers mount vigorous defence in Billy Hood appeal

Appeal court to review evidence in Billy Hood case in Abu Dhabi tomorrow. Billy Hood, a 24 year old footballer, is about to find out...

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72 year old great grandfather William Meyerhoff was arrested en route to Australia over bounced cheque allegations from a company he worked for over a decade ago. UAE diplomats promised to release him, saying “we sometimes make mistakes”. Radha Stirling , CEO of Detained in Dubai who is representing William, has passed on the promising news to William’s son Matthew this morning, who lives in Australia. “William was amazed to hear the good news that authorities had promised to release his father”, said Stirling, “It was the first he had heard, despite the British Embassy having been in contact with him yesterday”. “William was locked up with fellow British grandfather Albert Douglas who has also been detained over bounced cheques he didn’t write. Albert had been caring for William who also suffers dementia and was struggling in the prison when the two were taken from the cell and brought to a luxury two bedroom apartment within the prison, designed for VIP’s and Sheikhs who are jailed.” Ailing grandfather detained in Dubai for son’s ‘bounced cheques’, desperate for help Albert relayed that he was brought into the two bedroom apartment with a lounge room and television and asked “do you like your new quarters? There is a phone over there if you want to tell anyone about your new living conditions”. Albert thought he was en route to freedom and might even get a good sleep for once. He called his son Wolfgang, but had to hang up when several “diplomats and important people” entered the room. Several men, dressed in the traditional kandura told Albert he had been brought here because they saw him as William’s carer. Despite his broken bones, Albert had been assisting William who was not able to take care of himself. “We are going to release William, sometimes we get it wrong”. They thanked Albert for his assistance and dashed his hopes of release when he was sent back to the “hell hole” he has been enduring for the past nine months. “Will you look at my case?” Albert pleaded, “What is your case?” Albert explained that the cheques he had been accused of writing had been proven by forensics to be unrelated to him. He explained that the court appointed experts in parallel civil cases had removed him from the proceedings as irrelevant which in essence, exonerated him from the criminal proceedings against him. Son Wolfgang said “my father’s been beaten to the point where his shoulder was dislocated, his fingers are broken and he has multiple surgeries scheduled. He’s done nothing wrong but has suffered grave human rights abuses. It’s astonishing that our government is happy to continue letting the UAE promote itself as a safe country to British nationals while at the same time, we have Baroness Whitaker, literally saying ‘The UAE is not safe for British nationals’. “My father genuinely thought he might be released when he arrived at this apartment. His hopes were dashed. It’s been a rollercoaster ride from the beginning. He thought when forensics proved his innocence, he’d be released. He thought when the court experts proved his innocence, he’d be released. Nobody should have to go through what he’s gone through and what our family has”. William’s son was so grateful to hear the news that his father may be home soon, saying to Stirling “We had kind of lost hope. We didn’t think he’d ever get home. In fact, we didn’t expect we would ever see him again. We had resigned ourselves to preparing for the worst given his health condition. We are extremely grateful that the UAE authorities have made this promise and are desperate to see him home. He will have to be quarantined in Australia for two weeks when he arrives but we will try to get a doctor to help him. Thank you so much for this wonderful news.” Talking of the future of UAE-UK relations, Ms Stirling explained, “We still have Albert and Billy in Dubai’s jails and we’d like to get them home too. Christmas is coming up, Dubai’s expo is in full swing and it seems like an ideal time to resolve these cases for all concerned. “Don’t support Dubai Expo”, warn British investors - Baroness Whitaker has called on Dominic Raab to increase travel warnings to protect Brits abroad “Ultimately, there are changes that need to be made for the long term that would make the UAE a safer place for foreign nationals to travel to and invest in. We are preparing our recommendations for Dubai’s government and hope that not too far in the future, individuals will be cared for as much as diplomatic relations between governments. We have hope that the UAE will take our recommendations seriously and initiate a more cooperative relationship in the future”. More related resources, media and useful links: 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

Channel 7 TV - covering William Meyerhoff's release from Dubai, Albert Douglas & Detained in Dubai

72 year old great grandfather William Meyerhoff was arrested en route to Australia over bounced cheque allegations from a company he...

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72 year old great grandfather William Meyerhoff was arrested en route to Australia over bounced cheque allegations from a company he worked for over a decade ago. UAE diplomats promised to release him, saying “we sometimes make mistakes”. 72 year old British / Australian detained in Dubai at “death’s door” Due Process Newsroom & Media Centre Radha Stirling , CEO of Detained in Dubai who is representing William, has passed on the promising news to William’s son Matthew this morning, who lives in Australia. “William was amazed to hear the good news that authorities had promised to release his father”, said Stirling, “It was the first he had heard, despite the British Embassy having been in contact with him yesterday”. “William was locked up with fellow British grandfather Albert Douglas who has also been detained over bounced cheques he didn’t write. Albert had been caring for William who also suffers dementia and was struggling in the prison when the two were taken from the cell and brought to a luxury two bedroom apartment within the prison, designed for VIP’s and Sheikhs who are jailed.” HOME | Albert Douglas, wrongfully detained in Dubai and subject to grave human rights abuses within the UAE prison system. #FreeAlbert Albert relayed that he was brought into the two bedroom apartment with a lounge room and television and asked “do you like your new quarters? There is a phone over there if you want to tell anyone about your new living conditions”. Albert thought he was en route to freedom and might even get a good sleep for once. He called his son Wolfgang, but had to hang up when several “diplomats and important people” entered the room. Several men, dressed in the traditional kandura told Albert he had been brought here because they saw him as William’s carer. Despite his broken bones, Albert had been assisting William who was not able to take care of himself. “We are going to release William, sometimes we get it wrong”. They thanked Albert for his assistance and dashed his hopes of release when he was sent back to the “hell hole” he has been enduring for the past nine months. “Will you look at my case?” Albert pleaded, “What is your case?” Albert explained that the cheques he had been accused of writing had been proven by forensics to be unrelated to him. He explained that the court appointed experts in parallel civil cases had removed him from the proceedings as irrelevant which in essence, exonerated him from the criminal proceedings against him. Son Wolfgang said “my father’s been beaten to the point where his shoulder was dislocated, his fingers are broken and he has multiple surgeries scheduled. He’s done nothing wrong but has suffered grave human rights abuses. It’s astonishing that our government is happy to continue letting the UAE promote itself as a safe country to British nationals while at the same time, we have Baroness Whitaker, literally saying ‘The UAE is not safe for British nationals’. Distressing Dubai Prison Plea - Harrowing call from Dubai Prison. Due Process Newsroom & Media Centre My father genuinely thought he might be released when he arrived at this apartment. His hopes were dashed. It’s been a rollercoaster ride from the beginning. He thought when forensics proved his innocence, he’d be released. He thought when the court experts proved his innocence, he’d be released. Nobody should have to go through what he’s gone through and what our family has”. “The UAE is not safe for British nationals” - Baroness Whitaker Due Process Newsroom & Media Centre William’s son was so grateful to hear the news that his father may be home soon, saying to Stirling “We had kind of lost hope. We didn’t think he’d ever get home. In fact, we didn’t expect we would ever see him again. We had resigned ourselves to preparing for the worst given his health condition. We are extremely grateful that the UAE authorities have made this promise and are desperate to see him home. He will have to be quarantined in Australia for two weeks when he arrives but we will try to get a doctor to help him. Thank you so much for this wonderful news.” Talking of the future of UAE-UK relations, Ms Stirling explained, “We still have Albert and Billy in Dubai’s jails and we’d like to get them home too. Christmas is coming up, Dubai’s expo is in full swing and it seems like an ideal time to resolve these cases for all concerned. “Ultimately, there are changes that need to be made for the long term that would make the UAE a safer place for foreign nationals to travel to and invest in. We are preparing our recommendations for Dubai’s government and hope that not too far in the future, individuals will be cared for as much as diplomatic relations between governments. We have hope that the UAE will take our recommendations seriously and initiate a more cooperative relationship in the future”. 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

Dubai authorities pledge to release British great grandfather

72 year old great grandfather William Meyerhoff was arrested en route to Australia over bounced cheque allegations from a company he...

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Join Billy's friends and supporters today, calling on the British government to help Billy come home. Radha Stirling , CEO of Detained in Dubai has set up a petition to the UK government to increase travel warnings to the UAE based on ongoing and repeated unfair detentions, including Billy Hood and Albert Douglas who are currently detained in horrendous conditions. Billy's best friend Alfie has organised a protest today, meeting at Trafalgar Square at 11:30 then walking to Parliament Square for 12:00 arrival. ​ We need to stop cases like Billy Hood and Albert Douglas happening again. Please sign our petition . We are asking the British government to review and increase travel warnings to British nationals. We don't think the Foreign Office sufficiently warns of the real dangers people face when visiting Dubai, even when they follow the letter of the law: ​ ​ Keep up to date on Instagram Visit our Facebook page for updates on the Billy case ​

Protestors head to Parliament Square for Billy Hood

Join Billy's friends and supporters today, calling on the British government to help Billy come home. Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in...

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A frail 72 year old retired great grandfather is a “pack of bones” after being ripped from a flight home to Australia to be reunited with his family after a year of being stranded in Africa during covid. The father of two, who is suffering from dementia, was desperate to get home to his family after so long away. The Australian government helped him get a flight but during a transit stop in Dubai, he was pulled from his plane and taken into custody. He has been in prison ever since that fateful day, May the 19th. Worse than that, cellmates check his breath every morning, certain “he won’t last”. William Norman Meyerhoff, a locksmith from Grimsby Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire had no idea why he was taken into custody but assumed it must be some mistake. He worked in Dubai over a decade ago but never had any issues there. When authorities told him there were 38 criminal cases against him, he sank. “5 years and 3 months prison for you, AED 98,000 fine or if you can’t pay, extra 6 months in prison,” he was told . He was taken away in handcuffs to Dubai Central Prison where he was placed in a cell. “William is largely deaf and can not understand most of what is said to him, he finds it very hard to communicate”, said his distressed son Matthew who is now living in Perth. “It seems that somehow, the Indian owners of Crystal Palace, put my dad down on the paperwork as a Director of the company but it was not his company and he wasn’t responsible for running it and he had no idea of the intricacies of the operation and didn’t even have access to the bank accounts. Now, he’s been convicted in absentia and sentenced to essentially a life in prison? He has been used as a scapegoat by those who actually owned the company and were responsible for it,” added Matthew. Brit millionaire in Dubai jail ‘forced to drink from toilet' over bounced cheque Albert Douglas, held in Bur Dubai prison, is being beaten by guards and forced to watch cellmates being tortured Radha Stirling , CEO of Detained in Dubai and Due Process International commented, “This is how dangerous Dubai is to foreigners. They can be placed as Directors of companies as sort of ‘white knights’, they can be held responsible for fraud, embezzlement and deliberately bounced cheques. We’ve seen it time and time again over the past 13+ years, André Gauthier, Albert Douglas, Safi Qurashi , the list goes on”. In William’s case, he confirmed he has now been made aware that the owners continued to distribute cheques in his name unbeknownst to him, even after he had left the company. “If they check the signature and forensics, they will see that”, he told authorities. André Gauthier HOME after Dubai jail nightmare André Gauthier is finally reunited with his family after years-long ordeal that left him scapegoated by members of Gold AE. Since William’s arrest, he’s been hospitalised several times with head injuries. “He’s been disoriented and is difficult to communicate with. One thing’s for certain though”, said Stirling, “he has maintained his innocence and is utterly confused by the allegations against him. Had he committed any kind of crime, he would never have agreed to transit via Dubai. This is why we encourage people who have lived there before, to check their police case status before going anywhere near the country. You never know what frivolous case has been opened”. Albert Douglas, a fellow British grandfather, is sharing a cell with William. He has described him as being on death’s door. “We don’t think he will make it, we check his breath every morning to make sure he hasn’t passed. He’s skin and bones, confused and I have volunteered to help him with his dignity. He can’t go to the bathroom without help”, relayed Mr Douglas who himself is in prison over bounced cheques he did not write, forensics confirmed. “I was beaten and tortured by guards and am still healing from the broken bones, still awaiting more operations and I shouldn’t be in here in the first place”, he added. Albert Douglas, wrongfully detained in Duabi and subject to grave human rights abuses within the UAE prison system. #FreeAlbert William is extremely unwell and medical assistance has not been forthcoming. Instead, every month he is taken to a court where the judge asks him “Do you have the money to pay these cheques and fines in full?” Williams replies, “no” , and he is told “ok, we ask you again next month” and he’s returned to his filthy cell once more. William’s two children, Matthew, 44 and Samera, 41 are devastated. “We have been unable to speak with dad. He’s had no assistance from police, from the prison or the hospital. His treatment to date has been horrific. It is like they are trying to kill him. They can see he is extremely frail and ill and they are depriving him of his final journey with us. We would do anything to see him again and we beg Sheikh Mohammed to have some compassion for our father. He did not commit any crime and these cases are more than a decade old. Even if he tried to resolve them through the courts, he would surely be dead first. We can not afford the extortionate fees being charged by the lawyers there. If my father is not released on humanitarian grounds, we know we will not see him again and this is too much for us to handle and too much for his grandchildren. We can not bear the thought of him dying all alone in a foreign prison. Please help him”, Matthew appealed. In other cases, Dubai’s ruler, HH Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum, has directly reviewed and intervened in cases of injustice. Family of Emirates air hostess appeals to Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed to help detained 23 year old, In a compassionate appeal to the ruler of Dubai, HH Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum, Danielle Crawford reveals their family’s trauma over her arrest . The UAE has increased lobbying and investment efforts abroad, particularly with the United Kingdom where they pledged another £10 billion to the private sector. In the United States, there have been similar controversies in respect of illegal lobbying efforts which have in turn, negatively impacted the rights of American citizens . Stirling continued, “The British Foreign Office has increasingly shown their priorities lean more towards close relations with the Emiratis with little effort being made to protect British citizens facing human rights violations abroad”, Stirling confirmed. “A new inquest has been ordered into the death of Lee Bradley Brown, a British citizen who was killed in custody as a result of police brutality . The European Parliament has just voted to boycott Dubai’s Expo due to human rights concerns and there is escalating pressure for the UK to follow suit. Baroness Whitaker and Andy Slaughter, MP recently called for sanctions and increased travel warnings against the UAE, following the horrendous treatment of Albert Douglas. Things are changing but most importantly, foreigners need to be aware that the Dubai Expo is just marketing. Dubai is one of the most dangerous places for foreigners to invest their money, for businesses, expats and tourists. “Don’t support Dubai Expo”, warn British investors Escalating diplomatic efforts for Brit detained in Dubai British investors have warned businesses and investors to avoid Dubai Expo over human rights concerns. - Khater Massaad warns investors: “A ticket to Dubai can end up being a one way expedition to hell, and behind the touristic activities lies a medieval justice system that has time and time again seen innocent expats and visitors lose their lives, their livelihoods, their freedom and their money”. The FCO is broken The first thing most foreign nationals do when they experience problems abroad is to contact their embassies. It is fair to say that people expect their countries’ diplomats to swoop in and protect them with all the weight of their governments behind them, particularly citizens of Western democracies. The experience of British nationals in the UAE could not be further from this expectation. Detained in Dubai calls on the government of Dubai to release these two grandfathers. “We need to see some humanitarian action behind the marketing endeavours if Dubai is going to prosper as an investment centre”. Amnesty International joins Detained in Dubai in effort to free Australian Jo Sarlak, held in Qatar Amnesty joins fight for Australian’s freedom Elderly Australian citizen Joseph Sarlak should have been home a long time ago.

72 year old British / Australian detained in Dubai at “death’s door”

A frail 72 year old retired great grandfather is a “pack of bones” after being ripped from a flight home to Australia to be reunited with...

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A 24-year-old football coach has been sentenced to 25 years in prison in Dubai after police discovered 4 small bottles of CBD oil, which he claimed were left in his car by a fellow Londoner he'd driven to the airport two weeks earlier. Despite being able to prove they weren't his, Billy Hood was forced to sign a confession written in Arabic and convicted of trafficking, selling and possessing CBD. Billy's mother, uncle and friend joins Ben and Susanna as well as the founder of Detained in Dubai, Radha Stirling.

Good Morning Britain TV with Radha Stirling, Susanna Reid & Ben Shephard on Billy Hood case

A 24-year-old football coach has been sentenced to 25 years in prison in Dubai after police discovered 4 small bottles of CBD oil, which...

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Jailed in Dubai: Billy hood locked up for 25 years over CBD oil found in car 'Dubai police are incentivised to secure drugs convictions and they do not care whether there is evidence against that person to prove the guilt.' Radha Stirling says many people in Dubai are forced to confess to crimes they haven't committed. http://www.detainedindubai.org http://www.radhastirling.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/detainedindubai Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/detainedindu... Podcast: http://www.gulfinjustice.news

GB News: Colin Brazier interviews Radha Stirling of Detained in Dubai on CBD oil in Dubai

Jailed in Dubai: Billy hood locked up for 25 years over CBD oil found in car 'Dubai police are incentivised to secure drugs convictions...

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5 News TV report on Billy Hood, sentenced to 25 years in notorious Dubai jail after his visiting friend left tiny bottles of mixed CBD vape oil in Billy's company car. Corrupt and financially incentivised police decided their pockets were more valuable than this young man's life and proceeded to charge him with trafficking and selling the same tiny bottles. Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai, called on the government to intervene directly in the case. “Our gov should, as other foreign governments do for their citizens, be engaging with their diplomatic counterpart in the UAE to raise this case with the authorities, who would hopefully review court documents and exonerate him, ultimately. “He wasn’t trafficking, he wasn’t selling, there’s no evidence of that, and he’s suffered coercion and pressure that’s made him sign a confession in Arabic.” Subscribe to our YouTube channel .

5 News TV report on Billy Hood cast with family & Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai

5 News TV report on Billy Hood, sentenced to 25 years in notorious Dubai jail after his visiting friend left tiny bottles of mixed CBD...

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Billy Hood has been sentenced to remain in Dubai's notorious prison until his 49th birthday. But what is the UK Embassy and British FCDO going to do to help him? Billy's mother says they've done nothing to date and they don't even have an obligation to help. At what point do they become liable for their negligence? See this video to find out: Albert Douglas's son asked that very question this week when he met with consular officials in London. Detained in Dubai's Radha Stirling , highlights the broken FCO as Jamie Harron, Laleh Shahravesh, Albert Douglas, John Murply and Matt Hingley recall their experiences with the UK in the UAE. The first thing most foreign nationals do when they experience problems abroad is to contact their embassies. It is fair to say that people expect their countries’ diplomats to swoop in and protect them with all the weight of their governments behind them, particularly citizens of Western democracies. The experience of British nationals in the UAE could not be further from this expectation. “You are actually on your own,” says Jamie Harron, a British citizen who was detained in the UAE 3 years ago after brushing past a man in a Dubai nightclub who later accused him of assault. When Harron contacted the British Embassy, he was told that they could not get involved in the case. Harron’s experience is representative. Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai, who has helped free thousands of British nationals from wrongful detention in the UAE says that the FCO is letting British citizens down. “Typically, consular staff just provide people with a list of local lawyers, visit inmates with inconsistent frequency, and help relay communication with their families,” Stirling explains, “There is no question that the FCO has the power to intervene and resolve cases where injustice and abuse are obvious; as we saw in the Matthew Hedges case; but the fact is, the FCO seldom gets involved.” Matthew Hedges was a British scholar arrested in Dubai on false charges of espionage while working on his PhD thesis in the Emirates. Former Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt castigated the UAE over the case and even threatened sanctions, leading to Hedges eventually being pardoned by the Ruler of Dubai. “We have seen very positive engagement by other foreign governments in the past,” Stirling says, “The Australian government, the Americans, even the Malaysian foreign minister actively intervened when a Malaysian businessman was wrongfully detained in Ras Al Khaimah to secure his release. But the FCO is conspicuously passive and acquiescent to the UAE, and citizens deserve better.” Laleh Shahravesh, a Briton arrested in Dubai in 2019 over a Facebook post and prosecuted under the country’s oppressive Cybercrime laws, says she regrets having ever reached out to the British embassy. “They did absolutely nothing,” she recalls, even saying that consular staff’s advice was partly to blame for her being detained for 12 hours of questioning in a Dubai police station, “I wish to this day that I had not taken their advice.” Stirling’s organisation has long lobbied the FCO to increase their travel warnings about the UAE so that British tourists are better informed of the risks they face in the country, “Even after the death in custody of Lee Bradley Brown 10 years ago, and countless British citizens who have been falsely accused, detained, tortured, and abused after having committed no crime; the FCO is still telling people that the UAE is safe as long as you respect the laws and culture. They do not warn citizens that the legal system in the Emirates is systemically rigged against foreigners, that there is no evidentiary standard for prosecution, no due process, no respect for human rights, and that you can go to jail for literally no reason whatsoever if a local decides they dislike you,” Stirling explains. Not only is the FCO failing to intervene on behalf of British citizens, Stirling reveals that numerous sources have reported being urged by consular staff specifically to not seek the help of Detained in Dubai. “This is particularly disgraceful,” she comments, “Our organisation has a proven track record of success, and had any of our clients relied solely on the FCO, there is little doubt that their cases would not have been resolved.” Analysts point to what they see as the shift in the balance of power between the UK and UAE in recent years, with the UK increasingly concerned with trade deals and investment from the Gulf. The UAE is Britain’s leading trade partner in the MENA region, and pumps billions of pounds of investment into the UK every year. “Many of our cases involve media campaigns to highlight UAE injustice,” Stirling explains, “We bring attention to the uglier elements of the UAE government and legal system, and it appears the FCO is as uncomfortable with that as is the UAE, and perhaps that is why they discourage people from contacting us. Ultimately, the British government has to ask itself if the economic ties between the two countries are more important than the safety of British citizens.” Tensions between the FCO and the families of British citizens unjustly detained in the UAE, as well as growing public outrage over the abuses Britons have suffered in the Emirates is reaching a boiling point. Protests erupted last month over the continued detention of British citizen Albert Douglas, arrested over bounced cheques written by his son. Douglas has reportedly been tortured, beaten, and denied medication for both his injuries and a chronic heart condition. “Consular staff claim that Albert is being helped and has been given medicine,” Stirling says, “But Albert himself says otherwise. We are no longer living in a world where information can be kept secret; the government cannot say they are involved and assisting when they are not. This is not a matter of being better at PR or spin, the FCO has to actually take action because we will all know when they don’t.” The case of Albert Douglas, and the unresponsiveness of the FCO, has been brought up by Members of Parliament Baroness Whitaker and Andrew Slaughter along with Radha Stirling, who have also written to the UK-UAE Business Council over their concerns. “We are pressing for intervention for Albert Douglas, but beyond that,” Stirling explains, “We need to see the Foreign Office take a stand for all British citizens in the UAE; to no longer abandon them when they get unjustly swept up in the UAE legal system, and to adequately warn them of the dangers before they travel to Dubai. We need to see accountability, and we need Britons to be genuinely protected. Gulf investment in the UK should not act as a pay off whereby those countries have a license to abuse our citizens who land on their shores.”

Billy Hood - what will the British FCDO do to help the footballer sentenced to 25 years for CBD oil?

Billy Hood has been sentenced to remain in Dubai's notorious prison until his 49th birthday. But what is the UK Embassy and British FCDO...

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Billy Hood has been sentenced to remain in Dubai's notorious prison until his 49th birthday. But what is the UK Embassy and British FCDO going to do to help him? Billy's mother says they've done nothing to date and they don't even have an obligation to help. At what point do they become liable for their negligence? Albert Douglas's son asked that very question this week when he met with consular officials in London. Detained in Dubai's Radha Stirling , highlights the broken FCO as Jamie Harron, Laleh Shahravesh, Albert Douglas, John Murply and Matt Hingley recall their experiences with the UK in the UAE. Original article by Detained in Dubai: 24 year old pro footballer sentenced to 25 years over CBD in Dubai

Billy Hood - what will the British FCDO do to help the footballer sentenced to 25 years for CBD oil?

Billy Hood has been sentenced to remain in Dubai's notorious prison until his 49th birthday. But what is the UK Embassy and British FCDO...

Read More
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