British dad ‘being tortured’ in Dubai prison as family fear ‘he’ll die in custody’
A father-of-two detained in a Dubai prison since November 'without explanation' has been regularly 'tortured' in custody, according to a human rights group.
Ryan Pepper, 27, was hospitalised from 'brutal beatings in custody that left him with damaged teeth', says Detained in Dubai.
"While UAE authorities told British officials the hospitalisation was related to complications from a previous surgery, the family later received information suggesting the treatment was related to injuries sustained during assaults in custody," the London-based organisation said.
British Embassy officials were said to have arranged an in-person welfare visit to the dad from Ashford, which was later cancelled due to 'short-term restrictions'.
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"According to the family, subsequent embassy interactions were monitored and not private," Detained in Dubai said.
Handwritten notes from Ryan read that 'everyone was beaten up' inside the site he was being detained in.
He 'reported that he has been beaten, threatened and psychologically abused inside a UAE detention facility', the group added.
“At first we were trying to stay positive,” his sister Chloe said.
“But then Ryan started telling us people had been beaten, isolated, threatened and denied communication.
“He sounded terrified. We genuinely began fearing he was going to die in there.”
Ryan's story is sadly not unique. Albert Douglas, 58, was a Brit living in Dubai, but due to debts incurred by his son's company, he was threatened with a £2.5 million fine and a three-year prison sentence.
After trying to flee the country, he says he was detained in 2021 and taken to Al Ain central prison in Abu Dhabi.
He told the Guardian that guards there kicked his head around 'like a football' and broke his shoulder.
The UN had to intervene to facilitate his release four years later.
“This is the central problem,” Detained in Dubai CEO Radha Stirling said.
“The Foreign Office continues relying on reassurances obtained in environments where detainees may be terrified to speak honestly.
“This is a repeat pattern. Again and again, British prisoners are being arbitrarily detained, suffering police brutality and torture in custody.”
While Ryan’s family fear he could die in custody, his children are asking when he will return home and his mother has 'become physically unwell from stress', the group added.
“How many warnings does the British government need?” Stirling asked.
“British citizens need to understand that if they are arrested in Dubai, even over social media activity, financial disputes, or minor allegations, they may face prolonged unlawful and arbitrary detention, violent abuse, intimidation and potentially torture.”
“We are begging for proof our loved one is safe,” Chloe said. “No family should have to live like this.”
An FCDO spokesperson said: "We are in contact with his family and continue to raise the case directly with the local authorities.
"The UK takes all allegations of torture and mistreatment extremely seriously and will always raise these with relevant authorities with the individuals' consent."
LADbible Group has contacted Detained in Dubai and the FCDO for an update.
Anish Vij