Man facing ‘nightmare’ two years in Dubai prison for writing Google review begs ‘please get me home’
A MAN who is facing two years in a Dubai jail over a negative Google review has begged: “Please get me home like Tori Towey.”
Stunned autism support worker, Craig Ballentine, was arrested three weeks ago after arriving in Abu Dhabi on holiday to visit friends.
The 33-year-old has now been transported to Dubai to face charges of slander under the United Arab Emirates’ strict cybercrime law which bans any form of online criticism.
It is understood the charges relate to an online review he posted about a dog grooming business he used to work for in Dubai.
Crusading human rights campaigner Radha Stirling has launched a campaign in a bid to help the Cookstown native return home to Co Tyrone.
Ms Sterling recently publicly highlighted the plight of Roscommon flight attendant Tori Towey who was detained in the UAE, charged with attempting to kill herself and alcohol consumption following a brutal attack by her husband at their home in Dubai.
The desperate Towey family got in touch with Ms Stirling, who sparked the campaign that led to the domestic abuse victim’s freedom.
Now Craig, who is facing two years in a Dubai prison, is hoping he too can escape his UAE nightmare.
Ms Sterling, CEO of the Detained in Dubai advocacy group, told the Irish Sun last night: “Craig is going through an awful time. He needs help, he found me through the Tori Towey case.
“He is hoping we can get the same result. He just wants to come home like Tori Towey.”
Ms Sterling told how Craig is on bail to face charges of slander under the UAE’s strict cybercrime laws that prohibit any form of online criticism.
The case relates to an online review he made from Northern Ireland months before holidaying in the UAE.
Craig had hit out in the online review about how his job ended at a canine salon in Dubai last year.
The young man worked for the dog grooming business for nearly six months in 2023.
He was then diagnosed with fibromyalgia and had to take some days off work.
But Ms Sterling told how despite providing his employer with a doctor’s note, he was reported as “absconded” by his boss, violating Dubai employment law.
It resulted in Craig losing his job and having a travel ban placed on his passport, which took two months and thousands of pounds to lift, allowing him to return home to Cookstown.
REVIEW RANT
After returning home, Craig posted an online review of the Dubai grooming centre and his former boss, highlighting the problems she had caused him.
Ms Stirling told how Ballentine’s parents initally thought he was dead when they didn’t hear from him following his shock arrest.
Craig told Ms Stirling: “Mum was so upset and stressed, she thought I was dead”.
The human rights campaigner, who aids people facing legal difficulties in the UAE, last night urged the authorities to axe the “frivolous” case.
'NIGHTMARE'
Ms Sterling said: “I’ve been speaking to Craig, it has been a nightmare for him.
“We’re trying to persuade the authorities to drop it.
“I’m getting in touch with politicians and want to get him out.
“We need that campaign, that political support, that official support that helped to get Tori home.”
Traumatised Dubai detainee Tori, 28, was freed from her prison hell recently following a public campaign.
“He is hoping we can get the same result. He just wants to come home like Tori Towey.”
Radha Stirling
Relieved Tori was able to fly home to Ireland in July, after a travel ban imposed on her by Dubai authorities was lifted and all charges dropped following a diplomatic intervention from Irish officials.
Ms Sterling is now hoping to enlist the support of Northern Ireland First Minister and Tyrone native Michelle O’Neill on Craig’s case.
The CEO of the Detained in Dubai advocacy group blasted a wave of “petty arrests” in the UAE.
LAWS BLASTED
And slamming local laws, Ms Sterling explained that unsuspecting people can find themselves in hot water over someone else’s vindictiveness.
She said: “This case will send shockwaves to tourists and expats who feel safe posting online from the safety of their own countries.
“Craig has been advised by local lawyers there is almost zero chance of the case against him being dropped.
“When someone is offended, even if they are at fault, they can open a criminal prosecution out of spite. Craig deleted the post, apologised but still faces jail. It’s outrageous.
“The UAE’s recently enacted Cybercrime laws are a nightmare for foreigners. It is sufficient for a complainant to simply tell police that someone posted something offensive or rude.
COMPLAINANTS HAVE THE POWER'
"The police don’t even need to see the actual post. The complainants have all the power and often demand money from the accused to close out the case.
"It’s a means for vindictive people to extort. Once a criminal case is won, they can also open civil cases for massive damages.
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"The system incentivises it. Flatmates, co-workers and even spouses have abused this law and we find that it’s often foreigners who are taking advantage.
"In this case, both parties are Western and most people wouldn’t dream of opening a similar case in their own countries but seem quite happy to open