British father tortured in Dubai detention – human rights group

British father tortured in Dubai detention – human rights group

Ryan Pepper, a British citizen from Ashford, Kent, has been held in Dubai for over seven months without any clear explanation or meaningful legal access. According to the human rights organization Detained in Dubai, during his imprisonment in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Pepper has faced psychological abuse, threats, and physical violence. The group also reports that Pepper has suffered injuries related to assaults while in custody, requiring hospital treatment.

The detention conditions described are deeply concerning. Pepper reportedly spent around 20 days in isolation and, in handwritten notes secreted out of prison, revealed that “everyone was beaten up” at the facility where he is held. His family has expressed serious fears for his safety, worrying that he might die while in custody. He was initially detained on 3 November, and since then, Detained in Dubai has called attention to the allegations of arbitrary detention and torture, stressing how such treatment affects British nationals imprisoned in the UAE.

Efforts for clarification and assistance have been met with limited response. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs was contacted for comment but did not provide immediate statements. Meanwhile, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) confirmed that it is supporting Pepper and is in communication with his family. An FCDO spokesperson stated, “We are in contact with his family and continue to raise the case directly with the local authorities.”

The spokesperson also emphasized the UK government’s stance on such matters: “The UK takes all allegations of torture and mistreatment extremely seriously and will always raise these with relevant authorities with the individuals’ consent.” The ongoing situation remains a critical human rights concern, highlighting broader issues faced by British nationals under detention in the UAE

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