FCDO criticised after cancelling welfare visit to detained Brit amid violence allegations
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is facing serious criticism after cancelling a confirmed in-person consular visit to a young Brit from Ashford detained in Dubai, despite direct testimony that he and 15 others have been physically assaulted in custody.
The visit had been approved and was expected to provide urgent reassurance regarding his condition. However, it was cancelled without explanation and replaced with a proposal for a video call.
Legal Advisory and Crisis Management Firm Detained in Dubai, are assisting the family and consider a remotely supervised call, potentially monitored by the same authorities accused of abuse, to be wholly inadequate and a serious safeguarding concern.
UAE Legal Expert and Detained in Dubai CEO Radha Stirling, said, “This is an extremely alarming development. A confirmed welfare visit has been cancelled at the last minute, despite credible reports that this young man has been beaten in custody. That is precisely when an in-person visit is most critical.
“A video call, supervised by the very authorities accused of abuse, is not a welfare check. It does nothing to independently assess his condition or ensure his safety. It is completely inadequate and frankly, dangerous.
“This decision puts British nationals at risk. It sends a message that even in serious cases involving alleged mistreatment, restricted access will be accepted. That is a dangerous precedent.”
Detained in Dubai is a specialist legal advisory and crisis management firm that has assisted more than twenty five thousand individuals facing legal difficulties in the UAE over the past two decades. The organisation has been instrumental in securing releases, resolving complex cases, and advocating for fair treatment of foreign nationals, including through engagement with governments and international bodies such as the United Nations.
However, even by the standards of previous cases, this situation raises serious concern.
The Ashford resident has been detained with limited communication, and his family say they cannot believe the British government has become part of this ongoing nightmare.
His mother said, “This response is awful. They have ignored key concerns we raised. The visit was approved and then suddenly cancelled with no proper explanation. Something doesn’t add up.
“Now they are suggesting a video call. How is that supposed to show whether he has been hurt? If he is being watched, he is not going to say anything.
“We are extremely distressed and frightened for him. We feel like no one is stepping in when it actually matters.”
We have also sought urgent political support but have received no response. We contacted Sojan Joseph requesting immediate assistance, but have yet to receive any reply.
Fear amongst families of those arrested under cybercrime crackdown
Stirling added, “We have seen repeated failures to intervene effectively in cases involving British detainees, including Lee Bradley Brown, Billy Hood and Albert Douglas. In some of these cases, detainees suffered serious harm, including broken bones and severe head injuries. I had to escalate Albert’s case to the United Nations in Geneva and I testified in the Inquest into Lee Bradley Brown’s death and the allegations of negligence against the FCDO.
“Where there is no meaningful diplomatic pressure, there is a greater risk that detainees will be mistreated. That is the reality families are now confronting.
“This latest development has caused significant distress not only to this family, but to others with relatives currently detained over cybercrime violations in the UAE, who now fear similar restrictions on access. We have clients from across the globe who have been detained for cybercrime violations, for conduct as minor as privately sharing widely circulated images with family members or friends, often simply to reassure others or warn them to stay safe. Not only do they have this situation to deal with, but now they have the fear they could be mistreated in detention and deprived of consular access. They feel helpless”.
The sister of one of those arrested in the crackdown said, “he is struggling to get access to communication. We don’t know if he was in detention with the other ones who are being beaten or what’s happening. We’re not sleeping, every day is passing by with our eyes wide open with worry. We are begging for help. He didn’t do anything bad’.
Ms Stirling warned, “If anything happens to this or any fellow citizen after credible concerns have been raised, serious questions will be asked about the FCDO’s responsibility. There is a clear duty to act where there are risks to a British national’s safety.”
The family is calling for the immediate reinstatement of an in-person consular visit and urgent intervention to ensure his safety and access to medical care.
Cybercrime Developments
Detained in Dubai is assisting people from all over the world who have been detained under the UAE's Federal Cybercrime Laws.
Stirling has been actively liaising with government officials, embassies from multiple countries, Members of Parliament, diplomats and human rights organisations to secure the release of individuals detained under the UAE’s Federal Cybercrime Laws. She has urged the authorities to adopt a more proportionate and compassionate approach in cases where there was no malicious intent. She reports "several releases are expected in the coming days, but families remain deeply anxious and will not feel reassured until their loved ones are safely on a plane home."
Stirling has long called for nations to increase travel warnings to citizens.
