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If the United Arab Emirates really is the fun, safe oasis in the desert it is advertised to be, and which the Foreign Office assures travelers it is; Lee Bradley Brown would be celebrating his 50th birthday today, possibly fondly reminiscing about his vacation to Dubai ten years ago. Instead, Brown’s loved ones will mark the day in mourning, remembering a son, brother, and friend who was brutally killed in an Emirates jail at the age of 39 . Lee Bradley Brown was born in East London on June 18th, 1971 and grew up in Devon. In 2011, like thousands of British citizens, he decided to take a holiday in Dubai. He stayed at the luxurious Burj Al Arab hotel, but had an altercation with a hotel maid that landed him in detention at the Bur Dubai Police Station on charges of using abusive language. Soon afterwards, Brown was dead. The exact circumstances of his death in custody are unknown to this day, with police claiming first that he was assaulted by fellow inmates, and then that his fatal injuries were self-inflicted. CCTV footage of what happened has never been released. Detained in Dubai founder, Radha Stirling , was contacted by cellmates who witnessed the tragedy and who insisted he died as a result of police brutality but the UAE have refused to cooperate with any investigations into the incident. In an interview with ITV DayBreak in April 2011, Stirling said “Bur Dubai is notorious for aggression, violence and forced confessions in Arabic. There’s violence from inmates, there’s violence from police”. “Lee would have celebrated his 50th birthday today”, said Stirling, reflecting on Lee’s death. “Again, we extend our deepest sympathies to his family. This should never have happened and the UAE should have come under more diplomatic pressure than they did. The British government, in essence, let the UAE get away with their abuse. In doing so, they gave authorities the green light to commit further abuses against British citizens and we continually see evidence of this. “ FCO warnings to travelers to the UAE remain almost unchanged in the 10 years since Lee’s death; despite countless other incidents of abuse, wrongful arrest, torture, and unlawful detention . Like so many others, Lee did nothing wrong, certainly nothing that warranted his arrest; but the FCO does not warn citizens that they can be detained and indeed convicted in the UAE for literally no reason at all. The justice system in the Emirates is abysmal, with no evidentiary standards, no semblance of due process, and routine torture of suspects to extract false confessions. All of this is essentially being co-signed by the Foreign Office if they continue to leave Britons in the dark about the grave risks they face in the UAE. “Lee Bradley Brown’s death was tragic, the cover-up over what actually happened is criminal, and the FCO’s refusal to adequately inform British citizens about the dangers of traveling to the UAE is negligent and shameful. Since his death we have seen numerous cases of British nationals both wrongfully accused and tortured in the Emirates. Matthew Hedges was ludicrously accused of espionage over a PhD thesis and kept in solitary confinement; Andy Neal was jailed on false allegations for over a year and psychologically abused; and we now have Albert Douglas arrested for crimes he did not commit, beaten and tortured by police. Yet, the FCO refuses to acknowledge how drastically unsafe the UAE is for foreigners. - FCO talks to Grandfather beaten and forced to drink from toilet in Dubai jail “10 years after a British citizen was killed in Dubai police custody, with case after case of abuse over the intervening decade, the British government still allows the UAE to promote a false image of itself and lure tourists, just as Lee Bradley Brown was lured, and the Foreign Office just pretends that everything is fine. Lee and his loved ones deserve better than this”. Related articles and resources: - New Inquiry into the death of Lee Bradley Brown, who died in custody just 6 days after his arrest - FCO’s concerning alliance with Dubai - Bid to move British inmates from Bur Dubai station after tourist death claim

Brit killed in Dubai police custody would have celebrated birthday today

If the United Arab Emirates really is the fun, safe oasis in the desert it is advertised to be, and which the Foreign Office assures...

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Radha Stirling of Detained in Dubai shares her 13 year's experience with Israelis traveling to or investing in the UAE. Laleh Shahravesh discusses her arrest over a Facebook post made from the United Kingdom. "לפני שטסים לאיחוד האמירויות כדאי להתעדכן במה אסור ומה מותר במדינה המפרצית. מלבד הפיקוח על צריכת אלכוהול וחוקי צניעות, באמירויות יש מגוון רחב של חוקים הנוגעים לכל היבט בחיי התושבים וגם של מי שרק מבקרים במדינה. רועי קייס מביא את סיפורם של האנשים שמצאו את עצמם נלחמים על חירותם במדינה זרה. משתתפות: ד"ר מורן זגה, רדא סטרלינג, לאלה שהראווש עורכים: אלון אמיצי, ניר גורלי, דניאל אופיר. עיצוב פסקול: רחל רפאלי. צילום: רויטרס" Original article and podcast available from kan.org.il

Israel TV Podcast with Radha Stirling of Detained in Dubai

Radha Stirling of Detained in Dubai shares her 13 year's experience with Israelis traveling to or investing in the UAE. Laleh Shahravesh...

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60 year old grandfather, Albert Douglas , was the subject of a parliamentary question raised by Lady Whitaker : Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of the United Arab Emirates regarding the imprisonment of Albert Douglas. (HL593). “Albert Douglas has felt completely abandoned by the British Foreign Office”, said Radha Stirling , CEO of Detained in Dubai and . “He was beaten, forced to drink from a toilet tap, threatened and intimidated while watching people being hung upside down, tortured and seriously abused. He’s been denied his heart medication since his arrest in February and the FCO has still failed to provide it. What’s even more frightening is their post meeting report. The FCO finally met with Albert but their report did not represent the content of the meeting. They tried to whitewash what was happening to him, reporting that he was fine and okay and disregarding the abuse he’s suffered. This is absolutely congruent with their neglect of citizens in the UAE”. In response to Lady Whitaker’s question, the FCO answered: Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon : Whilst the FCDO cannot interfere in the legal processes of another country, officials have been in contact with the UAE authorities to raise concerns for Mr Douglas' health and welfare, and to ensure his access to medical treatment. Consular staff are in contact with Mr Douglas and are providing him with ongoing support. Date and time of answer: 09 Jun 2021 at 17:04. “The typical and dismissive answer from Lord Ahmad is representative of the FCO’s focus on appeasing the UAE, and working with them to protect abuse, rather than prioritising the safety of British nationals. They still haven’t managed to get Albert his medicine. It’s a joke”, added Stirling. “We have received years worth of complaints about the FCO’s lack of care for citizens. It’s quite appalling when we see Britain, who has one of the strongest relationships with the UAE and therefore significant influence, only using that influence for trade and business opportunities. The United States, Canada, Malaysia and Nigeria regularly intervene to protect their citizens from injustice and abuse.” Albert’s son Wolfgang Douglas says “The FCO seems to be more interested in apologising for not doing their job than actually doing it. It’s incomprehensible that they haven’t even got him his medicine at this point. If he suffers a stroke or heart attack, they will have blood on their hands. It’s not just about his health though, my dad’s been jailed for a crime he hasn’t committed and he shouldn’t even be in prison in the first place, begging for his medicine and being beaten for doing so”. The FCO is fully aware of the UAE’s human rights abuses and torture. UK courts refuse to extradite people due to the ‘real risk of human rights abuses and torture’ and there have been numerous cases of the abuse of Brits in prison. “At this point and with so many cases of torture and abuse, it is truly disgraceful that the UK has not applied diplomatic pressure to finally end this treatment. They have not even taken the small step of warning British citizens that they could be arbitrarily detained or wrongfully accused and tortured as a result”, said Radha Stirling. “It is for this reason that Lady Whitaker has written to Rt Hon Dominic Raab, MP and suggested it’s time to table sanctions and to warn citizens on the official FCO travel advisory website.” “When the FCO fails to warn people of the risks, then helps the UAE cover up their crimes while whitewashing complaints from prisoners, they make themselves complicit in human rights abuses. “In Albert’s case, they actively tried to silence him and this makes it more than clear that their main concern is appeasing their trade partners, the people they wine and dine in Dubai, at the expense of people like Albert Douglas, Matthew Hedges and Lee Bradley Brown, who was killed in custody. “We are reviewing legal action against the FCO with our legal team of experienced QC’s and solicitors. We believe such action will protect the lives of British citizens in the future”. Further related resources: - Torture in the Emirates - UAE Torture victim found dead in Netherlands - Family's desperate plea to save grandfather Albert from 'totally inhumane' Dubai jail

Lady Whitaker raises Parliament question about Brit detained in Dubai

60 year old grandfather, Albert Douglas, was the subject of a parliamentary question raised by Lady Whitaker: Question: To ask Her...

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In March 2018, the ruler of Dubai phoned the prime minister of India, and between them they mobilized the militaries of their respective countries to coordinate an attack on a private, US-registered yacht sailing in international waters and to abduct all onboard. The target was the Nostromo, captained by American citizen Herve Jaubert, and the objective was to capture the daughter of Sheikh Mohammed, Latifa Al Maktoum, who had escaped the UAE where she alleged she had been subjected to torture and abuse for decades. This action, carried out in violation of international law, maritime law, and in breach of both the UAE’s and India’s obligations as allies of the United States, constitutes a major crime which has not only gone unpunished, but which has been all but overshadowed by the story of Princess Latifa’s escape and speculation about her fate. What happened on March 4, 2018, and in the succeeding weeks during which the entire crew of Nostromo were detained and threatened in the UAE, is a far more important issue than the drama over Latifa herself. Radha Stirling, founder and CEO of Detained in Dubai, whom both Latifa and Herve Jaubert contacted once the yacht departed the UAE, and who was the last person with whom they communicated before their capture; cautions that the US and the international community at large must not let the Nostromo raid be ignored while global attention focuses exclusively on what became of Princess Latifa. “ We were responsible for bringing Latifa’s story to the international media and initiating a United Nations inquiry into the events surrounding her escape and capture ,” Stirling explained, “ But, while we have been enormously concerned about her safety and wellbeing, ultimately, the most alarming aspect of this story is the illegal act of piracy committed by the UAE and India against an American civilian vessel in international waters and the abduction and unlawful detention of 5 foreign nationals by the government of Dubai .” After more than a year without information of Latifa’s status, photographs recently emerged on social media of the princess enjoying a meal with friends at a mall in Dubai, presumably published to confirm that she is alive and safe in the UAE and getting on with her life. “ If Princess Latifa is well and carrying on, we are happy for her. This hardly settles the larger issue, however ,” Stirling said, “ It is not ‘all’s well that ends well’ simply because a Dubai royal is now free to socialise with her friends after the lives of 5 American, Filipino, and European citizens were irreversibly upturned by the despotic actions of the UAE. Herve Jaubert and his crew were beaten, held at gunpoint, abducted, and told they would be killed, dismembered, and scattered in the desert. The Nostromo was looted, and Jaubert, who risked his life to help Latifa, has been slandered as a kidnapper. Lives have been ruined. International law has been broken; two US allies collaborated in a reckless act of military aggression against an American private vessel outside their jurisdiction; and no one has been held accountable .” Stirling warned at the time that if the UAE’s belligerence went unchecked, it would likely increase, and become an example to others in the region. Indeed, seven months after the Nostromo was attacked with impunity, dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi was assassinated in the Saudi Arabian embassy in Turkey. “ I don’t think anyone can doubt that Saudi Arabia was emboldened by the fact that the UAE suffered no consequences for their criminal actions the previous March ,” Stirling commented, “ The UAE was also complicit in the killing of Khashoggi. Increasingly, security services, intelligence agencies, and the militaries of countries in the region are being used as the personal enforcers of the rulers, and we are seeing a kind of authoritarian nexus developing whereby antidemocratic strongmen are cooperating outside the boundaries of international law and diplomatic norms to essentially create a shadow jurisdiction that operates according to their whims. Sometimes they abuse legitimate institutions like Interpol to persecute their enemies, and sometimes they manufacture legitimacy for their personal vendettas by dictating verdicts in the courts they control; and sometimes they simply act with blatant criminality because they have learned they will not be called to account.” The recent hijacking by Belarus of a RyanAir flight to Lithuania to capture activist Roman Protasevich upon the personal orders of President Alexander Lukashenko, Stirling said, is further evidence that authoritarian states have grown bolder since the UAE’s raid on Nostromo. “ Lukashenko has been pursuing closer relations with the UAE in recent years ,” She explained, “ Including intelligence-sharing, military cooperation, and increased private Emirati investment in Belarus. This is a case of like minds finding common cause with one another, bolstering each other’s sense of entitled despotism. When the UAE attacked Nostromo, and more importantly, got away with it, Belarus knew this was a government they could partner with and learn from; and frankly, this is eroding the authority of international law. All of this can be traced back to the events of March 2018. America and Europe cannot afford to ignore this trend; renegade state actors must be reprimanded decisively and quickly when they defy the global order and use state institutions and military assets to settle the personal grudges of their rulers . Regardless of the outcome of Princess Latifa’s story, there has not been closure for the victims of the Nostromo attack, and the longer this issue goes unaddressed, the more unsafe the world will be.”

Safety of Princess Latifa leaves attack on Nostromo unresolved

In March 2018, the ruler of Dubai phoned the prime minister of India, and between them they mobilized the militaries of their respective...

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Lady Whitaker and Andy Slaughter, MP have voiced their serious concerns to the Foreign Office over the UAE’s treatment of British grandfather, Albert Douglas. In fact, they’ve even suggested sanctions may be needed to protect UK citizens abroad. “This is not the first time and it’s appalling that we are back here again”, said Radha Stirling, founder of Detained in Dubai, who has been working with the British government to help Albert. “Dominic Raab, MP, the UK’s former Foreign Minister, publicly stated that sanctions were not ‘off the table’ as the UAE continued to detain Matthew Hedges, alleging he was a spy. Hedges has since taken legal action in the UK against his torturers. “What’s even more appalling is the Hedges torture was not the first instance either. It seems that we have come to accept that the Emirates will torture foreign nationals”, Stirling continued. “British courts refuse to extradite to the UAE based on the ‘real risk of human rights violations and torture’, and yet the British government has failed to warn citizens on the FCO travel advisory website. Moreover, business, trade, commerce, security, arts and education projects are actively promoted by the British government. It beggars belief. “In the 13.5 years of operating Detained in Dubai, I have come to know dozens of UAE torture victims. 22 year old Lee Bradley Brown was killed by police while in detention. I was telephoned by horrified witnesses to this egregious crime, but what were the consequences for Dubai? It was a little awkward for them, that’s all. “Karam al Sadeq and Jihad Quzma are both suing for their torture in a Ras Al Khaimah prison. “Artur Ligeska wrote a best seller covering the abuse, rape and torture he suffered in an Abu Dhabi jail, all because a powerful Sheikh wanted him locked up. The extent of Artur’s suffering is atrocious. He required extensive medical assistance following his release. “Lee Bradley Brown was killed almost a decade ago and, with minimal consequences for the UAE, it is hardly surprising that British nationals are still being tortured. It is our government’s lack of a strong response, that has shown the UAE that they can in fact, torture our citizens with impunity. “Of course it doesn’t stop at torture. Sheikha Shamsa was kidnapped from British soil. Princess Latifa and Captain Hervé Jaubert were kidnapped from international waters. Innocent targets have been wrongfully listed on Interpol’s database to extort, threaten or extradite them. “It is completely reasonable that the Baroness push the FCO for increased travel warnings and sanctions. The FCO owes a duty of care to both warn and protect their citizens.”

Torture in the Emirates

Lady Whitaker and Andy Slaughter, MP have voiced their serious concerns to the Foreign Office over the UAE’s treatment of British...

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40 year old Artur Ligeska was sadly found dead in his Amsterdam apartment last Monday. Artur was arrested in Dubai after a friendship with an Abu Dhabi Sheikh became obsessive. It led to a false allegation of drug possession and his subsequent detention in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. But Artur’s nightmare was only just beginning. He was repeatedly beaten, raped and tortured in one of the UAE’s most brutal prisons. The Sheikh visited Artur in prison, bringing him Starbucks even though he was responsible for Artur’s detention. It was tormenting. Artur desperately called for help over a phone call, knowing he would likely be placed in solitary confinement, but he couldn’t be silent anymore. In a court case that lasted 5 minutes, his whole life was ruined. He had to take the risk. Radha Stirling, founder of Detained in Dubai, was contacted by the family to help lobby for Artur’s release. Just a few months later, Artur, who had been sentenced to life in Abu Dhabi prison, telephoned Stirling to surprise her with the delightful news that he was home safe in Poland. “It’s always exciting to hear how happy someone is to suddenly have their freedom back. Everything is looked upon in a different way. Everything seems sweeter, the coffee, the sunsets, the aromas, but there is also a feeling of isolation and a difficulty to adjust to normal life again. “When Artur told me the details of the human rights abuses and torture he suffered, I was appalled. It was not the first time I had heard a detailed account of someone’s abuse, but it is very difficult to imagine kind souls being egregiously harmed in this way. It is truly sick. “Artur and I became good friends as he rebuilt his life in Poland. He was enthusiastic, positive and a beautiful person. He wrote the best selling book “ A Sheikhs Love” , began campaigning for human rights generally, speaking at events, to the media and raising awareness about Abu Dhabi’s prison, especially calling for the release of Ahmed Mansoor who was his cell neighbour. “Artur was ambitious and inspired, immediately working on a documentary “Isolation Cell 32”, directed by Hossam Meneai. Artur talked honestly about his experiences that were clearly painful to discuss.

UAE torture victim found dead in Netherlands

40 year old Artur Ligeska was sadly found dead in his Amsterdam apartment last Monday. Artur was arrested in Dubai after a friendship...

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Baroness Janet Whitaker and Andy Slaughter, MP have called on Rt Hon. Dominic Raab, MP to increase FCO travel warnings to the UAE, as well as open discussions on possible sanctions after British National, Albert Douglas, was arrested and subjected to human rights violations in UAE prison. Lady Whitaker and Mr Slaughter released a letter requesting the urgent diplomatic assistance of Secretary of State, Rt Hon Dominic Raab, MP. They have asked him to speak with his counterpart in the UAE to bring Mr Douglas home. Albert was detained for two months in Al Ain and has since been moved to Dubai. He has testified as to some grave human rights violations and torture committed against other inmates, and beatings against himself. He is 60 years old and was beaten for asking for his heart medication which he still does not have. He didn’t ask again. He was forced to drink toilet water and has been repeatedly encouraged, under duress and threat, to falsely confess. His life has been threatened on numerous occasions. The letter states “Albert ran his own successful company in Dubai, but like many successful people, has become a target. There are now rumours that other cases have been opened against him and investigations are undergoing. This is to be expected. Cases that would usually be considered civil in the UK, are criminalised in Dubai. Therefore, if someone is imprisoned for one reason, it will usually cause them to default on personal and professional obligations and in turn, result in many more “criminal” complaints. Albert is also at great risk of extortive cases being opened against him, given that he is considered wealthy. When someone is jailed, the complainants will often rally up other people to open frivolous cases as a means to pressure and extort funds from the victim. This exact situation happened to Canadian André Gauthier who ended up with more than 70 cases against him. He was recently released and exonerated after the Canadian government’s intervention. “For over a decade, the UAE has been highlighted for unfair trials, forced confessions, lengthy and unfair detentions, human rights violations, torture and even a death in custody. This is the reason that the United Kingdom refuses to extradite. This in itself, confirms the lack of due process in Dubai.” The letter went on to highlight some of the most prolific issues throughout the UAE justice system that Detained in Dubai has brought to public light over the past decade, “If they are accused of a “crime”, a conviction is almost automatic, evidence is rarely considered and most will be forced to confess. Once arrested, they are often subjected to human rights violations and yet this is not something the British government warns of. "This case of injustice is deeply concerning and the UK’s response must be swift and strong. If the UK allows for these injustices to continue, more and more British nationals will be abused. At the other end of the spectrum, the UAE needs to work to rebuild their reputation in the business and tourism sectors after so many cases have been brought to public attention. Many political figures have been outspoken in respect of Princess Latifa , an Emirati citizen, and the same tenacity must be applied to our own citizens. "We urge you to act swiftly for Albert Douglas and join other foreign governments who have advocated for their citizens in Dubai. That includes the United States who recently secured the release of Danielle Jeffries and Peter Clark . Malaysia’s Foreign Minister personally travelled to Ras Al Khaimah, UAE to meet the ruler and secure the release of Richard Lau . Canada secured the release of André Gauthier and Australia helped Matt Joyce and Marcus Lee home . In other British matters, UK diplomatic intervention led to the release of Matthew Hedges , Asa Hutchinson , Conor Howard , Robert Urwin and more. “For the protection of British nationals abroad, we call on you to ensure the United Kingdom insist Albert Douglas is deported home to the UK or that travel advisory warnings are revised and updated and that sanctions are discussed. Rt Hon. Jeremy Hunt, MP suggested recently that sanctions were not off the table and we urge you to support a movement that will protect Albert and British nationals in the future. We beg you to help this grandfather home. He is loved and respected in the community and should never have been subjected to such horrendous and egregious violations.” Radha Stirling , CEO of Detained in Dubai , who is representing the Douglas family, added “It is outrageous that the United Kingdom’s travel warnings do not reflect the true state of affairs. They neglect to include the findings of the English high court that there is a real risk of false allegations, unfair trials, human rights violations and torture. People who read the travel advisory will believe that if they follow the law, they’ll be safe but this is far from true. False allegations are obscenely common and convictions are secured on the basis of a single witness statement in a hearing that lasts just a few minutes. Forced confessions, human rights violations, beatings and torture in custody are commonplace and thus, a single false allegation could have severe repercussions. “Torture is so unfortunately common, that we are producing an in depth report on the issue. It is not acceptable that since the death of Lee Bradley Brown in police custody, the UK government has not issued more severe warnings or demanded better treatment of citizens. Albert Douglas, who remains in prison, joins Matthew Hedges, Lee Bradley Brown, Artur Ligeska, Karam Al Sadeq and Princess Latifa in his complaints of brutality. “The UK must act swiftly to bring Albert Douglas home and take affirmative steps to ensure the safety of British nationals abroad. This must include increased travel warnings. The UAE should not be able to market themselves as a modern expat and tourist destination in our media, without ramifications for the abuse of citizens they have deceived into visiting”. “We are thankful to Lady Whitaker and Andy Slaughter, MP for their efforts to protect British citizens and bring Albert home. If we do not confront these ongoing issues, we will see further abuses and the loss of life.” Further related resources: - FCO talks to Grandfather beaten and forced to drink from toilet in Dubai jail - Celebrity support increases for grandfather detained in Dubai - The case of Danielle Jeffries - American facing jail for opening her own business in Dubai

Baroness and MP call for increased travel warnings to UAE and Sanctions

Baroness Janet Whitaker and Andy Slaughter, MP have called on Rt Hon. Dominic Raab, MP to increase FCO travel warnings to the UAE, as...

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Evil under the Dubai sun: Beneath the glamorous façade beloved of celebrity influencers and British holidaymakers, Dubai has a dark secret of medieval injustice... and the princess held hostage is only the start, writes GUY ADAMS - Video available at Mail Online When Radha Stirling first heard that a colleague called Cat Le-Huy had been arrested by immigration officials in Dubai, she assumed it was all a big mistake. Her chum, a London-based producer with whom she worked at the TV production company Endemol, had been initially detained because an unidentified bottle of pills was found in his suitcase. After they turned out to be melatonin, a perfectly legal jetlag medication, customs staff announced with a flourish that they had also discovered cannabis among some dust in the depths of the holidaymaker's bag. The quantity of this illegal narcotic was, they claimed, exactly 0.03 grams. That's an amount smaller than a single grain of salt and virtually invisible to the human eye. Cat, who hails from Belsize Park, North London, was promptly slapped in handcuffs and transported to the Al Wathba prison, 40 miles north of the airport. Radha, who is 42, knew that her chum did not take recreational drugs so, initially, thought he would be promptly released. But she was wrong. Instead, she was told to her horror that he faced a four-year prison sentence for 'drug possession'. It was 2008 and, in the weeks that followed, she helped organise a noisy campaign on Cat's behalf, turning him into an international cause célèbre. Finally, after the best part of a month in custody, he was released without charge and allowed to return home. Case closed. For Cat Le-Huy, at least. But for Radha, it was just the beginning. As the dust settled, she was contacted by several other Westerners who claimed to be victims of grave miscarriages of justice in the exotic tourist hotspot. 'People were basically saying, 'I saw how you helped him, can you help me, too?' she says. 'I suddenly realised that, behind the facade of this glamorous country, which touts its credentials as a popular destination with beaches and luxury hotels, there were huge problems with the rule of law and human rights, affecting vast numbers of innocent people.' She duly founded Detained In Dubai, a pressure group that lobbies on behalf of victims of the Emirate state's hardline laws. So far, her organisation has helped an incredible 15,000 people — an average of roughly three per day — navigate a draconian legal system that, despite Dubai's reputation as a glittering millionaires' playground with golden sands, turquoise seas and towering modern skyscrapers is, in fact, built on a hardline interpretation of medieval Sharia law. 'We have dealt with cases in which rape victims were prosecuted for unlawful sex, foreigners jailed over social media posts, people convicted on the basis of torture and forced confessions, and victims of gross police and prosecutorial misconduct of a variety that staggers the imagination,' she says. 'All involve laws that people don't imagine could possibly exist in the modern era.' Among the victims Radha has personally helped is Princess Latifa al-Maktoum, the 35-year-old daughter of Dubai's autocratic ruler Sheikh Mohammed al-Maktoum, who attempted to flee the country in a yacht in 2018. The princess is under armed guard, recently smuggling out remarkable videos telling how she had been seized by commandos while in international waters, before being transported back to Dubai, where she has been held hostage ever since. 'I spoke to Princess Latifa when she was on the boat and shots were going off,' says Radha. 'It was extremely harrowing. When even a member of the royal family is denied basic human rights, you can imagine how the country treats normal people who aren't even its citizens.' These and other high-profile cases shine a light on the dark underbelly of a destination whose status as a celebrity hotspot is deeply at odds with its legal system, under which everything from drinking alcohol to holding hands in public and sharing a bedroom with someone who is not your spouse is officially unlawful, and consensual gay sex can earn you a prison sentence of ten years. Take, for example, online celebrity 'influencers', many of whom have spent lockdown posting pictures of themselves visiting Dubai's gaudy attractions, where they are often staying for free as part of a commercial deal negotiated with publicists who have turned the Middle Eastern resort into a winter sun destination to rival the Caribbean. Little do they know that, while they tout the virtues of this supposedly 'modern' mega city, they, and almost any other visitor, are at constant risk of prosecution under draconian cyber-crime laws. Should they or any other foreigner fall foul of a policeman, minor royal, business leader or powerful local, the country's authorities can (and often do) trawl through historic social media posts in search of something that offends their sensibilities. 'These rules can, in theory, criminalise almost every Western visitor,' says Radha. 'If you're responsible for a Facebook post from five years ago they don't like, and if they want to go for you, then you are toast.' Take, for example, 55-year-old Briton Laleh Shahravesh, who was arrested in Dubai in 2019 following a complaint from a local that she had used the social network to brand her ex-husband's new partner 'horse-face'. She was arrested on arrival in the country and only allowed back to the UK several weeks later, after agreeing to pay a £625 fine for making the supposedly 'defamatory' claim. Or take Scott Richards, a 42-year-old father of two, who was detained in 2016 after the police took exception to a Facebook post in which he had shared a link to a crowd-funding campaign to supply blankets for Afghan refugees. He spent three weeks behind bars because of a bizarre law that bans soliciting donations for non-profits that have not been approved by the government's totalitarian-sounding 'Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities' department. At present, Detained In Dubai is also representing a 31-year-old HR manager from Gloucestershire arrested at the airport in January as she tried to return home after three years living in the country. Her alleged 'crime' is having told her ex-flatmate, a Ukrainian, to 'f*** off' in a WhatsApp message, during a row over the use of the dining table at their home during lockdown. This is also, apparently, defamatory. This woman, who has not been named, has learned — along with so many of the hundreds of Britons who are arrested in the United Arab Emirates each year — that modern living fits uncomfortably in a country where rules governing social interaction (particularly among women) are centuries behind those in the West. Partly, this is an accident of history. A hundred years ago, Dubai was a sleepy fishing town where little had changed since the Middle Ages. But, in 1966, oil was discovered, creating vast wealth for its ruling family, the Maktoums, and residents, who today make up around 20 per cent of its population. During the 1990s, with an eye on the day when oil would run out, Sheikh Maktoum decided to reinvent his tiny fiefdom as a financial centre, trade hub and tourist hotspot, investing huge resources in throwing up skyscrapers and mega resorts that, in the course of a generation, have turned it into the Middle East's version of Las Vegas. At one point, in the early 2000s, a third of the world's cranes were estimated to be in use in Dubai's various building sites. For the ruling class, it would prove an inspired move. However, for the hundreds of thousands of Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan migrants who worked at the sharp end of its construction industry for wages of a few dollars per day (no minimum wage), it was anything but. According to Human Rights Watch, many of the three million low-paid workers employed under the 'kafala' sponsorship system in the UAE are now 'subjected to abuses that amount to forced labour' in temperatures that can reach 45c (113f). The organisation says that 'more often than not', their passports are detained as soon as they start work and remain with the employer for almost the entirety of their contract. Even relatively well-heeled white-collar workers from Britain and other Western countries can end up finding that Dubai's forward-thinking reputation is a veneer. Authoritarian local laws meant that anything from allowing a cheque to bounce to failing (even accidentally) to pay a credit card bill on time can lead to a punitive spell in jail. Public displays of affection with a girlfriend, or even spouse, can lead to arrest. Businessmen whose companies fail, leaving behind debts, often have their passports confiscated, leaving them in a Kafka-esque position — unable to leave the country until creditors are satisfied, but unable to work because their visa has been revoked. Exactly this state of affairs faces Robin Berlyn, a 50-year-old former Grenadier Guardsman, who fell foul of the authorities in 2013 after a business collapsed and he found himself trapped in Dubai unable to pay various disputed debts. In October last year, he managed to flee by swimming two miles across the Persian Gulf to neighbouring Oman, using a rucksack as a flotation aid, only to be arrested by local police and driven back to the UAE (rather than being deported to the UK, as he had hoped). His case remains ongoing. Tourists can also be caught in the trap. In November, two Canterbury University students on a 21st birthday celebration were stranded in Dubai for almost three months after a dispute with a car-hire company. They were told to expect 18 months in prison if they failed to pay £16,000 over alleged damage to a Range Rover but, after an international outcry, they got a £250 fine, instead. In 2017, plasterer Billy Barclay spent a month in limbo after being arrested after one of the £20 notes he handed into a bureau de change turned out to be forged. As with many a Middle Eastern autocracy, it is women's rights that are most commonly abused. A 2005 law states that 'a husband's rights over his wife' include the wife's 'courteous obedience to him', and places conditions on a married woman's right to work or leave the house. These rules are routinely used by estranged husbands to exert control over their spouses, even when both parties are Western expats. Radha says: 'We had one client, a German woman in the process of separating from her husband, who had decided to get a job. Her husband rang up the company and said, 'I didn't give her permission' and they had to fire her.' In another case, Scottish expat Morag McNeil Koussa was duped by her ex-husband Rafic into signing a document in Arabic that made her liable for the arrears of his engineering business. When he fled the country in 2014, her passport was seized, she was left homeless and could not work as her visa had expired. She did not get home until last year. In Dubai, extra-marital sex is punishable by one year or more in prison. On the basis of this law, Amnesty says, a Swedish-run hospital in Ajman Emirate was forced to report pregnant, unmarried women to the police. Three years ago, a 29-year-old South African resident of Dubai called Emlyn Culverwell took his fiancée, Iryna Nohal, a Ukrainian, to a doctor, complaining of stomach pain. He promptly diagnosed that she was pregnant. But rather than offering treatment, the doctor called the police. The couple were arrested and jailed when they could not produce a marriage licence. Eventually, they were released, apparently at the behest of Sheikh Maktoum. For years, he has often intervened when ugly legal cases threaten his country's international reputation. But since the PR disaster that today threatens his glittering emirate involves his own treatment of Princess Latifa, it may not be so easy to fix. The full article by GUY ADAMS, can be found at the Mail Online Website

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A third photo of Princess Latifa 'out and about' was shared via British expat Fiona Day's Facebook account yesterday. “The United Nations, the media and the public have been calling for ‘proof of life’ for several months and it appears they have it,” said Radha Stirling , founder of Detained in Dubai , who responded to Latifa’s call for help during the raid on Nostromo, launched the United Nations investigation and brought Latifa's case to the media. “Princess Latifa has been pictured with three British expats. One of the ladies, Sioned Taylor, had previously worked for Latifa and Maitha. “In the latest photo, Latifa is pictured with Fiona Day who we are told is a former British police woman and psychic medium. The public is split over where to praise or curse the women who are photographed with Latifa but ultimately, it shows she is out with friends, that there appears to be an intention to return Latifa to public life. “Although we are pleased to see Latifa out and about, we must not forget that she was brought to the United Arab Emirates unlawfully. She was forcibly and illegally removed from a US flagged yacht in international waters in an unprecedented military attack. “She had already escaped the UAE and she had every right to feel safe onboard that yacht under the protection of United States and international law. Cptn. Herve Jaubert had every right to be confident that his US flagged yacht would not be attacked by special forces, that he would not be kidnapped and forced to the Emirates. “There was no basis in law to kidnap Latifa and Hervé and it is imperative that the United States address this grievance. We are conducting an investigation into the assault on Nostromo, making a series of information requests in the United states to discover exactly what went on behind the scenes. If the UAE attacked a US yacht without US permission, we have a serious problem. Whether the US authorised or did not, certain people will need to be held to account. “Cptn. Hervé Jaubert is preparing litigation in the United States. If nobody is held to account and there are minimal consequences for these actions, more lives will be put at risk in the future. We need to know how this was able to happen and hold those responsible to account”. Related articles: - Third photo of Princess Latifa published - Phone tracking spyware likely used to capture Dubai princess, claims former aid

Latifa pictured with ex British police woman

A third photo of Princess Latifa 'out and about' was shared via British expat Fiona Day's Facebook account yesterday. “The United...

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Sheikh Mohammed’s right hand man faces English High Court on Tuesday the 25th of May. The Emirati elite and Sheikh Mohammed’s advisor will finally stand before the English High Court on Tuesday in a £1b lawsuit launched by British national, Dr Haddad. “I doubt Baker McKenzie chair Habib Al Mulla ever thought he’d be held to account in England”, said Radha Stirling , CEO of Detained in Dubai and Due Process International . “We have never seen such a sheer volume of instances of misconduct and legal abuse in a single case, and such blatant bias, while also being so thoroughly evidenced,” She explains . “It is clear Al Mulla acts with impunity in the UAE and that he was under the misimpression that he could do whatever he wanted and abuse whomever he wanted without repercussion. Al Mulla has finally been cornered into answering a £1b lawsuit launched by Mohamed Haddad, but he has tried every trick in the book to avoid and frustrate proceedings. - UK lawsuit alleges ‘stunningly blatant corruption’ of leading UAE figures, Baker Mckenzie chairman. “Fortunately, England is able to provide a fair legal forum to hear submissions without interference from Al Mulla. This would be absolutely impossible in the UAE. Habib Al Mulla was named by Arabian Business Journal as one of the most powerful Arabs in the world in 2019. Controversially, he represented Sheikh Issa bin Zayed al-Nahyan who embarrassed the UAE when a video was released of the torture and rape of an Afghan. Unsurprisingly, Sheikh Issa was exonerated. Al Mulla has also been accused of illegally representing Dr Haddad and his opponent (Al Mulla’s client) in UAE proceedings. It’s almost unbelievable”. - UAE ruling family member acquitted in torture trial “The UK and the UAE are close allies but this means more and more British nationals are visiting and investing in Dubai. They are being taken advantage of in a country that the United Kingdom won’t even extradite people to because of the ‘lack of fair trials’. It’s imperative that UAE residents are aware that their rogue actions can have real consequences. Victims, like Dr Haddad, have recourse through the British courts. This case is precedent setting and it’s time the UK sent a clear message that unlawful acts can be redressed through foreign courts. - Briton launches £1 billion lawsuit against Dubai elite, royals. “The outcome of these proceedings will ultimately protect British nationals abroad and hopefully lead to positive changes within the UAE”. The remote hearing of El Haddad v Al Rostamani et al. will commence on the 25th of May 2021. The hearing is public. Please contact us for details and to arrange attendance.

Sheikh Mohammed’s right hand man faces English justice tomorrow

Sheikh Mohammed’s right hand man faces English High Court on Tuesday the 25th of May. The Emirati elite and Sheikh Mohammed’s advisor...

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Princess Latifa: Kidnapped royal reportedly in fresh photos allowed ‘limited freedom’ in recent weeks Human rights lawyer Radha Stirling says her sources say the royal has been allowed to go shopping and to attend family gatherings in recent weeks. Princess Latifa – who appears to have been photographed in public for the first time in years – seems to have been allowed “limited freedom” by her father, her former lawyer has said. Two images have appeared on Instagram this week purportedly of the princess, who tried to flee the UAE in 2018, with friends in Dubai . There are reports that the royal has been shopping and attended family gatherings in recent weeks. Princess Latifa’s plight has captivated the world since she claimed she was kidnapped and detained by Sheikh Mohammed , ruler of Dubai and the prime minister of the United Arab Emirates ( UAE ). In mid-February, BBC Panorama aired video footage from her in which she claims she was being “held hostage” and was in fear for her life. While the photos have not been verified, and UAE has not commented, friends of the princess told the BBC that the first image was legitimate. Human rights lawyer Radha Stirling, who was on the phone to Princess Latifa when she was taken from the yacht as she tried to escape UAE, said that the photo seems to be authentic and that her sources have told her the royal has been allowed more freedom in recent weeks. “It seems UAE have allowed this to be released as proof of life,” said the founder of Detained in Dubai. “They have said in a statement before that the plan is for her to return to public life. “I recognise some of the people commenting on the photos as friends of Latifa’s from the sky diving community. “I’ve been told that Latifa has been out and about in Dubai, but I can’t yet verify it. I believe she’s been shopping for her brother’s new twins and attended some family gatherings in the last few weeks.” [Radha Stirling from Detained in Dubai says she’s haunted by the night Princess Latifa contacted her from the yacht she was seized by special forces from (Photo: Radha Stirling)] Allegations of years of abuse An image was posted on Instagram on Thursday on the accounts of both of the women pictured with Princess Latifa. One of them is former Royal Navy member Sioned Taylor who wrote “Lovely evening at MoE with friends.” MoE is believed to be Dubai’s Mall of the Emirates. While posts on the social networking do not include metadata, which would show the date and time the photograph was taken, in the background a cinema advertising can be seen featuring the film Demon Slayer: Mugen Train, which was released in the UAE on 13 May 2021. Sioned Taylor, believed to be a Dubai-based maths teacher, posted another photo captioned “Lovely food at Bice Mare with Latifa earlier”. Bice Mare is an Italian seafood restaurant overlooking Burj Khalifa and Dubai Fountain. Latifa and Sioned are dressed differently than in the earlier photo, suggesting the pictures may have been taken on different days. The now 35-year-old Latifa accused the head of the dynasty of years of control and abuse. In early 2018 she and a friend left to go to India by car, then used jet skis to board the US yacht Nostromo. The goal of her escape attempt, which was reportedly planned for over seven years, was to fly to the US and claim asylum. However, she was forcibly returned from international waters near the Indian coast by a joint India–Emirates special forces operation on 4 March using unmarked speedboats and a helicopter. The princess is believed to have been held against her will since then on the orders of the sheikh. In 2002, when Latifa was 16, she tried to flee to Oman. But she was caught in a vehicle at the border, a friend reports , before being imprisoned for three and a half years, during which time she claimed she was tortured. Her sister, Princess Shamsa, was 19 [above] when she was snatched from the street in Cambridge just over two decades ago. She has not been seen in public since. A High Court judge ruled in 2019 that the sheikh abducted both daughters and held them against their will. He claims the raid on the Nostromo was a rescue mission, and has consistently denied allegations of abuse. Cambridgeshire officers investigating Shamsa’s disappearance were blocked from going to Dubai amid accusations of diplomatic interference and questions about the behaviour of one of the UK’s most powerful state ally. Sheikh Mohammed is one of the world’s biggest racehorse owners and is heavily involved in the British racing industry. The Foreign Office has said the allegation of Shamsa’s kidnapping was a private matter between two individuals. There are ‘questions to answer’ Radha said that the UAE and the UK and US authorities all still have “questions to answer”. “The UAE can’t just release two photos and that’s it,” she said. “A major event happened in international waters involving the kidnapping of citizens. The UK and US authorities have turned a blind eye, which has given the UAE the green light to commit crimes. “This was a US yacht and we’ve reported it to the FBI but it’s been swept under the carpet. We are also still hearing allegations about deaths in prisons and torture in prisons in Dubai. “And of course we still haven’t heard from Princess Shamsa and don’t know if she is safe.” [British Prime Minister Boris Johnson met Sheikh Mohammed in Downing Street on 10 December 2020 (Photo: Gareth Fuller/WPA Pool/Getty)] However, she said she is hopeful that Princess Latifa can obtain more freedom. “She seems to have limited freedom now which is a good thing,” said Radha. “When Latifa has had freedom she has used her phone to communicate with the media and so she is having to regain the UAE’s trust. They don’t want her on Oprah slating the Royal family.” The London embassy of the UAE has been approached for comment. ‘I’m haunted by the night Latifa disappeared’ Radha describes it as a call “nobody ever wants to receive”. On 4 March 2018, the desperate princess phoned her lawyer friend for help from the US flagged yacht Nostromo as she tried to flee UAE. “Latifa told me there were men outside and she didn’t know what was happening,” her account goes . “She heard gunshots. I told her to hide, hang up the phone and make voicemails and videos that I could use as evidence. She swung into action and tried to record messages, but communications were abruptly stopped.” Radha’s communication with both Latifa and captain Hervé Jaubert ceased. Radha told i : “I’m haunted by that night, yes. I just wanted to help her.” Full article available at inews

Princess Latifa: Kidnapped royal reportedly in fresh photos allowed ‘limited freedom’....

Princess Latifa: Kidnapped royal reportedly in fresh photos allowed ‘limited freedom’ in recent weeks Human rights lawyer Radha Stirling...

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A photo of Princess Latifa has been circulated on Instagram by skydiving instructor, ironman triathlete and former Royal Navy member Sioned Taylor. The photo shows Latifa at a Dubai mall cafe with Sioned Taylor. Mutual friends of Sioned and Latifa commented positively on the post. Radha Stirling , founder of Detained in Dubai , released Latifa’s video in 2018 and brought her plight to the world’s media and the United Nations. Latifa contacted Stirling from Nostromo, the US flagged escape yacht that was brutally attacked by Indian forces to kidnap the princess and Captain Hervé Jaubert. “The indicates that the UAE intends to perhaps allow Latifa to return to public life as mentioned in their last statement, said Radha Stirling. “The UAE has declined direct media requests and largely ignored United Nations pleadings and finds 'proof of life' requests insulting. Despite increasing pressure, the UAE’s position has remained that Sheikha Latifa Al Maktoum is in ‘the loving care of her family’. “This is not the first time that Dubai has released photos and proof of life for Latifa”, continued Stirling. “ “After Latifa's latest video messages were broadcast, the Maktoum family is even more determined to keep Latifa within the city of Dubai. From their perspective, they have seen what happens to British royals when family members start airing their dirty laundry in public. They don’t want to see Latifa end up on Oprah. The family still maintains that Latifa has mental health problems which they do not intend to make a spectacle of. “The Maktoums see many of the people calling for Latifa’s release as self interested and in some cases, actual convicted criminals. They’re not going to send Latifa into the hands of those who may use and manipulate her, and they don't want to see her as an adverse witness in the British courtroom drama surrounding Princess Haya. “Through understanding the UAE’s perspective, there is a higher chance for Latifa to enjoy the kind of freedom her prince brother does We are hopeful that may involve a diplomatically arranged alternative whereby Latifa were permitted to conditionally live in the United States or abroad if that is still what she wants. “In the interim, we are hopeful that Latifa will return to public life and enjoy increased freedom within the Emirates. Captain Hervé Jaubert, who spoke with Latifa for seven years before helping her escape, commented “If the photo is real, I am so relieved to hear this wonderful news. Princess Latifa looks straight in the camera and seems to be herself and happy”. Detained in Dubai encourages the UAE to continue to release photos to the public. It will go along way to alleviating public concern for her welfare. - Exclusive: Phone tracking spyware likely used to capture Dubai princess, claims former aid - Princess Latifa: official resources website

Latifa photographed at Dubai mall with British skydiver

A photo of Princess Latifa has been circulated on Instagram by skydiving instructor, ironman triathlete and former Royal Navy member...

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