The family of a jailed British businessman calls for sanctions against a senior Dubai official linked to his imprisonment
Dubai: The family of Ryan Cornelius, a British businessman stuck in a Dubai prison, is asking the UK government to impose sanctions on a top official there. They believe this could help bring attention to his situation.
Ryan has been in jail since 2008 after being convicted of fraud related to a massive loan from Dubai Islamic Bank. His family’s lawyers are pushing for David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, to target Mohammed Ibrahim Al-Shaibani, a key figure in Dubai’s government.
They want Al-Shaibani, who also leads the Dubai Islamic Bank, to be added to a sanctions list. This would freeze his assets in the UK and send a strong message about the treatment of Ryan and others in similar situations.
Ryan, now 70, originally got a 10-year sentence, but in 2018, he was hit with an additional 20 years due to a law that keeps debtors in jail until they pay up. This means he won’t be eligible for release until he’s 84.
The United Nations has even said that Ryan’s detention is arbitrary, which is a big deal. His lawyers argue that he’s been mistreated and that his rights have been violated. They’re calling for action against Al-Shaibani for his role in this situation.
Ryan’s wife, Heather, believes he was arrested on false charges, pushed by the Dubai Islamic Bank. Interestingly, a property he developed, which the bank claimed was worthless, is now being sold as a luxury complex worth billions.
Recently, Sir Iain Duncan Smith, a former Conservative leader, brought up Ryan’s case in Parliament, urging the government to take stronger action. He’s calling for targeted sanctions against Al-Shaibani and others involved in Ryan’s detention.
These sanctions, known as Magnitsky sanctions, are named after a Russian lawyer who died in prison after exposing corruption. They’re meant to hold officials accountable for human rights abuses.
Al-Shaibani is a powerful figure in the UAE, but he denies having any role in Ryan’s imprisonment. The UAE insists that Ryan had a fair trial and that their judicial system is independent.
They claim that all inmates, including Ryan, receive proper medical care and that officials regularly check on prison conditions. However, Ryan’s family and supporters are not convinced and continue to fight for his release.
