First Minister Michelle O’Neill is monitoring the situation after a Co Tyrone man who was arrested in Dubai over a negative review he posted online relating to a dog grooming centre.
Craig Ballentine (33), from Cookstown, was detained when he arrived in Abu Dhabi to visit friends three weeks ago and was transported to Dubai to face charges of “slander” under the United Arab Emirates (UAE)’s cybercrime laws.
The strict legislation prohibits any form of online criticism.
Radha Stirling, CEO of campaign group Detained in Dubai, said she had reached out to Mr Ballentine’s local MLA, Ms O’Neill, asking for her help.
“We implore her to make diplomatic representations to the UAE’s ambassador and FCDO. We hope she can assist in the same way Ireland helped Tori Towey come home,” she said.
In response to a query from this newspaper, a Sinn Fein spokesperson said: “Ms O’Neill’s office will closely monitor the case and will stay in contact with the family to provide support and advice.”
NI First Minister Michelle O’Neill has said her office is monitoring Mr Ballentine’s situation. Pic: Liam McBurney/PA
Mr Ballentine, who is an autism support worker by trade, had accepted a role as a dog groomer in one of Dubai’s canine salons in 2023.
He had been employed by the salon for almost six months when he required a number of days off due to sickness.
After being diagnosed with fibromyalgia, he informed his employer and submitted a doctor’s certificate. The company, however, registered him as having “absconded”.
Mr Ballentine was left unemployed and attempting to remove a travel ban from his passport in order to return home to NI.
After his experience, he left an online review of the centre and his former boss, noting the problems she had caused him.
Campaign group Detained in Dubai, which represents people who find themselves arrested in the country, has been working with Mr Ballentine.
Ms Stirling said the post did not contain any abusive content.
“We’ve seen people arrested for complaining to customer service, or for leaving online reviews on hotels and rental car agencies,” she said.
“The UAE’s laws are so far from international standards that almost everyone who visits is already technically a criminal.
Mr Ballentine had been working as a dog groomer in Dubai
“When someone is offended, even if they are at fault, they can open a criminal prosecution out of spite. Craig deleted the post and apologised but still faces jail. It’s outrageous.
“The UAE’s recently enacted cybercrime laws are a nightmare for foreigners. It is sufficient for a complainant to simply tell police that someone posted something offensive or rude.
“The police don’t even need to see the actual post. The complainants have all the power and often demand money from the accused to close out the case. It’s a means for vindictive people to extort.
“Once a criminal case is won, they can also open civil cases for massive damages.
“The system incentivises it. Flatmates, co-workers and even spouses have abused this law and we find that it’s often foreigners who are taking advantage.
“In this case, both parties are Western. Most people wouldn’t dream of opening a similar case in their own countries but seem quite happy to open them in the UAE.”
Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai
Mr Ballentine is now stranded in Dubai, without employment and facing two years in prison. He said the experience has also taken a toll on his parents, who thought he was dead.
Ms Stirling said the country’s strict rules are having devastating effects on people’s lives.
“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.
“The sheer number of cybercrime reports they receive must be significant. There are no protections or safeguards and people’s lives are being ruined.”
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News Catch Up – Friday 8th November