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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"I'm Andre and I've been detained in Dubai for five years and a half for something I haven't done. If it were not for Radha, her team, my son and my friends, and the Canadian government, I probably would still be there today. Radha, her team and my sons have been the one who started everything, the process, to make sure that I will be able to come back home, safe and in good health. Exactly one year ago, they succeeded to get me out of jail and approximately 11 months later, they were able to repatriate me back to Canada. Since the time they have started their work, approximately two years ago, they have been working intensively in coordination with the Canadian government to make sure to bring me back safely. Again, thanks very much Radha and the entire team." André Gauthier is finally reunited with his family after years-long ordeal that left him scapegoated by members of Gold AE. “It seemed as though Gauthier’s nightmare would never end when he first contacted us”, said Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai who represents the Gauthiers. Stirling interviewed André on her Gulf in Justice Podcast over the weekend. “There were dozens of cases against him, some of which could not be appealed anymore. André had tried everything he could to resolve the cases legally, spending hundreds of thousand on lawyers, when he contacted us after a failed attempt to flee via the Omani border. “It was certainly a complicated case. It involved Ponzi schemes, money laundering and royals. The investors in Gold AE who were defrauded, were wrongfully told to take cases against André. This would provide enough distraction for the scamsters to leave the country. They ended up setting up new and similar scams in Canada, which we reported to authorities. “Once we reviewed the substantial evidence of André’s innocence, we released a video appeal from Andre himself to end his arbitrary detention and brought the case to the media. This injustice needed to be heard. The Canadian media was outraged by the legal abuse. With significant interest, Andre’s son, Alexis, recruited Richard Martel, MP who raised André’s case in Parliament on several occasions, and to the attention of Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau who commented on the case. Martel is the Conservative deputy for Chicoutimi Fjord who worked relentlessly on André’s case, thanks to André’s brother for soliciting his help. Martel worked closely with the Canadian former foreign affairs minister, Francois Phillipe Champagne and his successor, Marc Garneau. A non-partisan effort was undertaken for the common goal to bring a Canadian citizen home, with former foreign minister Chrystia Freeland taking the initial steps. “Detained in Dubai works with foreign governments on a regular basis. We advised the Minister on how they could help André home, working tirelessly with them to support the process. It’s a whole different system in the UAE and most personnel have limited experience in the region. Our expertise is welcomed by diplomats. “The fact of the matter is that André was instrumental in exposing the Gold AE scandal, and accepted the task of trying to recover the stolen funds for investors, but ended up being a scapegoat. It was absolutely outrageous, and we are grateful for the Canadian government’s responsiveness to our calls for intervention and for welcoming our input. While it was frustrating for everyone involved that the resolution took so long, the UAE finally acknowledged André’s innocence, and ultimately that is all that matters. We'd like to thank the Francois-Phillippe Champagne, Canada's former minster of foreign affairs and his counterpart in the UAE, HH Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. We look forward to future cooperations that ultimately will make the Emirates a safer place for investors in the future. “Detained in Dubai and the Gauthier family would like to thank the members of the Canadian government whose support was instrumental in freeing André. Without diplomatic support, André would likely have died in prison. Canada has set an impressive example of how foreign governments can overcome significant adversity in the Middle East. Other countries should take note. With such a precedent setting diplomatic rescue, it will be difficult for another other foreign government to claim they ‘can’t get involved’. “André and his family are extremely brave and very patient. His son Alexis, never gave up hope. He spent every single day lobbying politicians, diplomats, lawyers, and dealing with the media. The whole family deserves a holiday. André is in good spirits, isolating, and looking forward to a family reunion. I had the pleasure of speaking with him on the Gulf in Justice Podcast over the weekend, and look forward to meeting him in person. “André Gauthier has made significant financial losses as a result of his wrongful detention and we will fully explore all avenues of retribution.”