A British businessman, Ryan Cornelius, has been imprisoned in Dubai for over 16 years under what his supporters say are unjust charges of fraud. Cornelius, 70, was sentenced to 10 years for allegedly securing a £370 million loan from Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB) through bribery. His sentence was later extended, and despite international calls for his release, he is now facing further abuse within the UAE prison system.
Cornelius’ case has drawn attention due to the ongoing claims of mistreatment and the recent attempt by prison officials to coerce him into signing a document denying violations of his human rights. This document, presented in Arabic, a language Cornelius does not fully understand, asserts that his human rights are being respected. When Cornelius refused to sign, he was reportedly met with aggression from prison guards, raising concerns over his safety and the overall treatment of detainees in UAE prisons.
Cornelius has spent the past decade and a half at the Al Awir Central Prison in Dubai, a facility known for overcrowding and poor conditions. His health has deteriorated due to the lack of fresh air and inadequate medical care, compounded by pre-existing health conditions such as tuberculosis and high blood pressure. Despite the UAE constitution stating that inmates over the age of 70 should be granted clemency, Cornelius’ request for release was rejected in 2024, with his continued detention widely regarded as politically motivated.
In a letter to the UK Foreign Office, Cornelius expressed his fears of retaliation from prison officials following his refusal to sign the document. He described the forced signing as a coercive tactic meant to suppress international scrutiny. He appealed to the UK government to intervene, urging them to lodge a formal protest with the UAE authorities.
Despite appeals from Cornelius’ family and supporters, including Labour MP Tim Roca, the UK Foreign Office has yet to take significant action to secure his release or address the allegations of abuse. The case has raised broader concerns about the treatment of British nationals in foreign prisons and the extent to which the UK government is willing to confront the UAE on human rights issues.
Cornelius’s case is part of a troubling pattern of arbitrary detentions involving foreign nationals in the UAE, where legal proceedings and prison conditions often fall short of international human rights standards. Critics argue that the British government’s response to these issues has been inadequate, especially when it comes to confronting the UAE’s treatment of its foreign detainees.
The call for justice continues to grow, with Cornelius’s family, legal representatives, and supporters urging the UK government to escalate efforts to bring attention to his case, sanction officials involved, and hold the UAE accountable for the continued mistreatment of British citizens abroad.
Human-rights-picture by-Nick-Youngson-CC-BY-SA-3.0-Pix4free
