‘This is ridiculous’ – Friend calls for support for Co Tyrone man facing prison in Dubai in live campaign call – The Irish News

a friend Co Tyrone man faces prison in Dubai after negative online review The owner of a dog grooming salon has renewed calls for a return.

Craig Ballentine (33) cookstown He was arrested three weeks ago when he landed in Abu Dhabi to visit friends and was transferred to Dubai.

He had previously worked as a dog walker in Dubai for six months but left a critical review of his employer online.

Sean Morgan, from Dundalk, who attended a live call hosted by the Prisoners in Dubai group on Friday, described his friend’s mood as “pretty somber”.

The UAE’s cybercrime laws banning online criticism could result in prison sentences, campaigners say.

Mr Ballentine, who travels on a British passport, is currently banned from leaving the UAE.

Although he is allowed to move freely within the country, he now faces months of extra expense and stress as he awaits his court date.

Mr Morgan told the Irish News he hoped the “ridiculous” case would be resolved quickly.

“I know Craig didn’t know anything about why he was being held when he landed in Abu Dhabi, it took them a while to tell him that,” he said.

“He finally realized it was because of a Google review and he couldn’t believe that’s why he was arrested.

“I don’t think the police actually contacted the complainant and persuaded them to drop the case against Craig.

“I don’t think anything was done on their behalf. When Craig contacted the (British) embassy, ​​they told him there wasn’t much he could do until the procedures were completed unless he was re-arrested.

“I thought they could have done more, especially with what I call such a trivial crime.”

Rhada Stirling, one of those detained in Dubai, said other countries had been successful in applying diplomatic pressure in more complex cases.

“When another country approaches the Dubai government, they quite welcome that communication,” he said.

“When they see that it’s not an important case, that it’s stupid and reputation-damaging, they tend to resolve them very quickly.

“So it depends on our country’s will, would they want to make that phone call? Because when they do this, they achieve good results.”

Stormont First Minister Michelle O’Neill, who is also Mr Ballentine’s MLA, has previously said she was following the case closely.

Ms Stirling added that “sentence is often process” and it can take up to a year for someone to be fully cleared.

“This means people will spend a fortune on housing and lawyers if they are unexpectedly forced to stay in a fancy city and lose their job.”

Mr Morgan said his friend’s employers understood the situation.

“It’s extraordinary to think that you can be stuck in a country for 12 months because of a Google review, it’s truly ridiculous.

“We must allow Craig to return home and avoid the financial burden of being in Dubai and not being able to work.”

He described his friend’s mood as “pretty somber” as a court date has not been set.

“He just realistically wants to come home. There’s only so much you can do by sitting around, so he tries to stay upbeat and positive, but it can be quite frustrating.

“There are days when the mood will be good, and some days it’s a little flatter.

“Right now, their lawyers were helping as much as Radha.”

Ms Stirling said: “There is not much his lawyers can do at this early stage when we do not have a court date.

“They tend not to pressure the prosecution to make any decisions, so sometimes lawyers can obstruct and unnecessarily prolong the process.”

A UK Foreign Office spokesman commented: “We are providing support to a British man in the UAE. We are in contact with his family and local authorities.”