Breaking: Irishman faces Dubai prison over drunken emojis
A 39 year old property renovator from Laragh in County Wicklow is facing Dubai jail after being accused of sending threatening emojis from Ireland to a Belgian acquaintance he says took his possessions without permission.
In January 2022, Stuart Quiney accompanied his friend to Dubai to help him set up his new life. He was introduced to a Belgian resident who assisted his friend to get an apartment by providing a local ID. Stuart stayed with his friend for two months, enjoying a short break from the Irish winter.
The keen golfer and gardener had intended to return a week later to spend more time with his friend. He left some of his belongings in the apartment. While both he and his friend were away, the Belgian let himself into the place and removed all of their personal belongings without permission.
Stuart was understandably upset and hoped he’d be able to recover his things, they were personal to him including small but sentimental gifts from his late grandmother. Stuart drafted multiple legal letters but they were completely ignored. “I don’t really mind the clothes, it’s just those things that were my grandmother’s and a gift from a friend that is very important to me”, he told crisis manager Radha Stirling, the founder of Detained in Dubai.
“I came over in June last year and sent him a few messages, basically saying I wanted my things back or I would go to the police but I got no reply again”.
After returning to Ireland, he got some more bad news. His grandmother was suffering dementia and being moved into a home. “It hit him very hard”, relays Stirling. “She is his best friend. He dealt with the pain by drinking alcohol, something he only does once or twice a year. In a drunken state, he must remembered the theft of his other grandmother’s gift, reached for his phone and sent some emojis (eg. ninja man and blood drop) to the Belgian.”
Mr Quiney told Ms Stirling, “I very rarely drink so this is completely out of character for me. I’ve never been in trouble with the law”
He didn’t think anything of it when he booked his next flight to visit his friend. In fact, he did not even remember sending them at the time or afterwards. “It was a very difficult time”, When Stuart arrived on the 6th of September, he was immediately taken into custody, transported to Al Barsha police station and told he could not leave the country.
12 weeks later, Stuart is still stuck in Dubai and set to go in front of a prosecutor tomorrow. He has been advised that he could face several years in prison under strict laws that prohibit rude, offensive or threatening text messages, even if expressed sarcastically, jokingly between close friends or loved ones.
“Stuart’s mother has been in touch with the accuser and they have both apologised, but he has said he won’t withdraw the case.”
Radha Stirling has said on many occasions that Dubai’s strict laws are often abused by complainants who open police cases merely as a means to extort victims. “It’s unconscionable that this is allowed to happen. It puts people at risk of false allegations and wrongful prosecutions”.
Stuart is currently staying with a friend while on a travel ban. He is relying on financial support from his family, can’t work and is suffering sleepless nights, sickness and extreme anxiety. “He fears he won’t see his beloved grandmother before she passes and is praying he gets home before Christmas.
“It’s important for repeat visitors to Dubai to obtain a police check in advance of travel. Checking prior to travel prevents a significant number of arrests and would have prevented the gruelling nightmares that both Stuart Quiney and Craig Ballentine are experiencing now.
“Northern Ireland resident Craig Ballentine is also facing Dubai justice over a negative online review made from the UK before he travelled.
“Previously, Laleh Sharahvesh was arrested over a five year old Facebook post made from England.
“The UAE’s Cybercrime laws are highly dangerous to tourists. They are unclear, subjective, arbitrarily enforced and the punishments can be severe.”
Stuart and his family are reaching out to Wicklow representatives, Edward Timmins, TD, John Brady (SF), Jennifer Whitmore (SD) and Simon Harris (FG) for help.
“It wasn’t an ideal message but it was made at a very distressing time in Stuart’s life. He has apologised and regrets the message but was clearly provoked by the removal of his personal items and the frustrating lack of response from the complainant. He’s suffered extreme stress, anxiety and health issues from being forced to stay in Dubai for the past three months while anticipating prison. The UAE needs an expeditious legal process for tourists who should be deported or banned from re-entering at worst.
“We also suggest authorities investigate complainants who misuses the criminal justice system for cash”.
