An NI man detained in Dubai after leaving a negative online review has said he is on his way home for Christmas.
Craig Ballentine (33), from Cookstown, was detained when he arrived in Abu Dhabi to visit friends in October.
He was then 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.
The Cookstown man left a negative online review relating to a dog grooming centre where he had been working when the centre recorded him as having absconded following a period of sick leave.
Mr Ballentine had been stranded in Dubai since October without employment and faced two years in prison.
Speaking to the BBC before his flight was due to leave Dubai on Thursday, Mr Ballentine confirmed that this travel ban had been lifted.
He said: “Reality hasn’t really kicked in yet. Once I return back and I see Dublin outside the plane window that’s when I will be relieved. It has been an exhausting journey for both myself, family and friends.
“It’s coming up to Christmas so now I hope to return and rest for a day or two then get prepared to enjoy the festivities.”
Radha Stirling, CEO of advocacy group Detained in Dubai, previously said she was pushing for diplomatic action in Craig’s case.
In November, First Minister Michelle O’Neill – who is Craig’s local MLA – also said she was “monitoring” his case.
Mr Ballentine, who is an autism support worker by trade, 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.
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News Catch up – Thursday 19 December