A charity has claimed that the British man who was sentenced to 10 years in a Dubai jail for being in possession of CBD vape oil was assaulted in prison while the city welcomed Prince William.
Detained in Dubai say that Billy Hood was attacked during the official trip between the royal and UAE diplomats which was organised to discuss sustainability.
The alleged attack comes after Billy's sentence was reduced from 25 years to 10 years following an appeal.
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Billy was sentenced for 'unintentionally possessing' CBD vape oil which he claims was left in his car by a friend visiting him in Dubai.
Detained in Dubai says he was recently put in an isolated cell that only fit a mattress. Allegedly, he punched the wall in frustration before prison guards opened his cell and repeatedly beat him.
Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai, said: "It is abhorrent and truly shocking that the United Arab Emirates, our ally, has refused to cease the mistreatment, abuse and torture of British citizens."
Radha added: "Members of the concerned public and rights groups have criticised Prince William following the EU’s recent boycotting of Dubai’s expo, but the contempt is far greater than thought when we have our own citizens being literally beaten up during his meetings."
The charity reports that Billy's brother, Alex Hood, said: "I am disgusted that the UK would ever allow this to happen to a British citizen and that they have not already intervened. This is not the first time he has been assaulted while in custody and over what?
"CBD oil that the court accepted, was not even his. In accepting this kind of treatment and just ‘raising concerns’ without any actual consequence, the UK is essentially sanctioning these abuses again and again.
"British MP’s have called for sanctions and travel warnings and this is exactly what is needed to finally end this mediaeval treatment."
Billy's mum, Breda, called upon the Duke of Cambridge to help her child, saying: "I implore Prince William to help my son, the other British nationals in prison and future visitors. If nothing is done to help Billy, how can we ever say the UAE is safe for Brits? Can you imagine how you would feel if you found out your helpless son was beaten in a foreign jail?"
She added: "How can the UK stand by, let this happen and then go and shake the hands of the people who are responsible for it?
“My son is in jail for something he didn’t do. He shouldn’t even be there. I can’t understand how this has been allowed to happen. He’s being beaten in a foreign jail because his friend left CBD oil in his car. What kind of a system is this? I want to be sick when I see shows and advertisements promoting Dubai.
"I’m disgusting to see Prince William being treated respectfully when they are clearly disrespecting him by torturing his people."
Rebecca Shepherd