November 13th 2024.
Craig Ballentine, a 33-year-old man from Cookstown, Northern Ireland, recently found himself in a difficult situation while on a short vacation to visit friends in Abu Dhabi. He was detained by authorities and transported to Dubai due to a negative review he had left for a dog grooming service he once worked for.
His family has been deeply concerned and outraged by his arrest, and has called upon the Foreign Office and the ambassador to the United Arab Emirates for assistance. Craig's mother, Margaret Ballentine, expressed her distress, stating, "The thought of Craig going to prison over a Google review is just horrendous. We are all suffering sleepless nights and anxiety. It's just not something I ever imagined possible."
She emphasized that her son had not used any bad language in his review, but simply expressed his opinions, as one would on a review site. She pleaded for the government, foreign office, and Dubai authorities to allow Craig to come home safely.
Even Northern Ireland's First Minister, Michelle O'Neill, has been urged to intervene and help secure Craig's release. The campaign group Detained in Dubai has shed light on the situation, revealing that Craig is facing imprisonment due to the UAE's strict cybercrime laws, which prohibit online criticism.
According to Radha Stirling, a spokesperson for the organization, the laws are a "nightmare" for foreigners, as it is enough for someone to simply complain to the police about something they find offensive or rude online. Stirling also expressed her frustration with the situation, stating, "Craig needs to get home and get to work. It's atrocious that authorities are allowing such frivolous criminal reports to entangle visitors in the system."
In an effort to help Craig, the organization has reached out to his local representative, Michelle O'Neill, and implored her to make diplomatic representations to the UAE's ambassador and the FCDO. They hope that she can provide the same assistance that was given to Tori Towey, another individual who was detained in Dubai and later released with the help of the Irish government.
A spokesperson for Sinn Fein has confirmed that O'Neill is aware of Craig's case and is making representations to the UAE embassy in London on his behalf. They also assured that her office is in contact with the family to provide support and advice during this difficult time. Craig's family and supporters are hopeful that with the help of the government and diplomatic efforts, he will be able to return home safely and put this ordeal behind him.
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