A British grandfather who was visiting his daughter in Dubai has reportedly been jailed after asking his partying neighbours to keep the volume down while he was babysitting.
Ian MacKeller, from Aberdeenshire, Scotland, travelled to the UAE during the festive period to see his daughter who recently made the move to the luxurious city.
The 75-year-old - who was looking after his granddaughter while her mum was working late - said he went and asked the neighbour to be mindful of noise.
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The family claim they messaged the host to turn the music down at 1am on 1 January.
However, instead of putting the music lower - it got louder.
After Ian knocked on the neighbour's door and got no answer, he noticed an open side path leading to the garden where guests were mingling.
When he asked if the party could perhaps move inside, he claims guests began pushing and shouting at him.
Ian alleges that the 'angry' host then poured her drink over him and the infant when advising him to leave.
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Now, the neighbour has since filed a police complaint against Ian for trespass, which has prevented him from leaving the country.
He could reportedly face several years in prison.
Radha Stirling, lawyer and CEO of Detained in Dubai, said she is trying to set Ian free.
“It is standard practice in Dubai to preemptively file a police report when at risk of being reported,” said Stirling.
“The prosecution tends to side with whomever makes the first police report, so if someone is at risk of being reported themselves, they will quickly file against the actual victim.
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“This is how people familiar with Dubai justice manipulate the system to their advantage.
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“It is commonplace for foreigners in this situation to offer financial compensation to their accuser in order to drop the case.
“Authorities in Dubai need to crack down on this blatant abuse of the criminal justice system. The practice is systemic and will require significant legislative change to stamp it out completely.
“It’s imperative that parliamentary representatives support their constituents where they face injustice. We’re seeing more and more MP’s demanding action from the FCDO and foreign ministry counterparts in countries like the UAE, Qatar and Saudi.”
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Ian now remains indefinitely in the UAE, despite being scheduled to return to Scotland on 10 January.
“This is a very sad situation. Nobody would ever imagine that a polite request to turn the music down would result in a travel ban and criminal prosecution,” added Stirling.
“Again and again, we are reminded that a simple trip to Dubai can indeed be a one-way ticket.
“If the case isn’t dropped, Ian will likely end up in prisons notorious for human rights violations, and he simply doesn’t deserve it.”
LADbible has contacted the Government of Dubai for comment.
Anish Vij