Ryan Cornelius, a British national, has been imprisoned in Dubai for over 16 years on charges of fraud. Initially arrested in 2008 during a layover at Dubai Airport, Ryan was convicted of breaking the terms of a loan from the Dubai Islamic State Bank. Although his initial 10-year sentence has been served, courts in the UAE extended it by an additional 20 years in 2018, with a stipulation that he must repay the £372 million loan in order to be released. His family has expressed concerns about the UK government’s lack of intervention due to close economic ties with the UAE.
The accusations against Ryan include theft from a public body and the failure to repay the loan balance, resulting in a 10-year prison sentence and a fine of £396,000,000. His assets, including his London home, were seized, making it impossible for him to pay the debt. A UN working group deemed his detention as ‘arbitrary’ along with other cases of Brits being held arbitrarily abroad. The UAE defended the decision to extend Ryan’s sentence, citing UAE law and the inability of Ryan to repay the loan.
Ryan’s wife, Heather, has been campaigning for his release and has been in contact with UK officials. The family has expressed disappointment in the lack of a concrete plan or action from the government to address Ryan’s situation. Despite being able to speak with Ryan daily, Heather noted that his spirits have been low, and the prolonged separation has taken a toll on the family. Ryan’s eldest son described the situation as devastating, with his father effectively being erased from their lives due to the unjust detention.
The UK government’s traditional stance of not negotiating with terrorists or paying ransoms has limited their response to cases like Ryan’s. Consular support is provided, but there is a reluctance to interfere in the legal processes of other countries. Despite the UK’s close relationship with the UAE, concerns have been raised about the impacts of Ryan’s extended detention on the long-standing friendship between the two nations. Calls for stronger action, including potential sanctions, have been made to address the unjust detention of British citizens in countries like the UAE.
The UK’s relationship with the UAE is based on a long history of friendship and trade, making it one of the UK’s top trading partners outside of Europe. There are thousands of British nationals living and working in the UAE, creating a significant economic connection between the two countries. The continued detention of Ryan Cornelius has raised concerns about the messaging it sends to tourists, expats, and businesses, potentially affecting the bilateral relationship. Calls for a more coordinated response, similar to the US and Canada, have been made to address the wrongful detention of British citizens abroad.
In conclusion, the case of Ryan Cornelius highlights the challenges faced by British citizens detained abroad, particularly in countries where economic ties may influence government responses. Despite allegations of wrongdoing, the extended detention of individuals like Ryan raises concerns about human rights and legal fairness. The UK government’s approach to these cases, focusing on consular support rather than active intervention, has drawn criticism from families and advocates. Moving forward, there are calls for stronger action, including potential sanctions, to address the unjust detention of British citizens and protect individuals doing business in autocratic regimes.
