Northern Irish Man Reports Trauma Following Arrest in UAE Over Negative Online Review

A tourist held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after publishing an unfavorable Google review has stated that the experience has left him traumatized. Craig Ballentine, a Northern Irishman, was apprehended at Abu Dhabi airport in October for posting critical remarks concerning his previous employer in Dubai. He faces an accusation of slander, and given the UAE’s stringent cybercrime legislation, there is a possibility he could be imprisoned for the comments made in his online review. The 33-year-old care worker, who hails from Cookstown in County Tyrone, was released from detention but is prohibited from departing the UAE until his legal matter is concluded. “I came to Abu Dhabi/Dubai just to see friends and also to do a bit of scout volunteering,” Mr Ballentine conveyed to BBC News NI during a video call. “I wasn’t expecting when I arrived at Abu Dhabi airport to be detained.” He reported being held from approximately 07:55 local time on the day of his apprehension until around 01:00 the subsequent morning, without permission to contact his family or friends. In 2023, Mr Ballentine secured employment at a dog grooming salon in Dubai. After nearly six months of work, he required leave due to illness and provided his employer with a doctor’s certificate to substantiate his condition. However, upon his absence from work, he was officially recorded as “absconded” by the UAE authorities, which consequently prevented him from exiting the country. Mr Ballentine subsequently succeeded in having that travel restriction removed and returned to Northern Ireland, a process that spanned two months and incurred costs amounting to thousands of pounds. During his time back in Northern Ireland, he composed an online review for the dog grooming salon, detailing the difficulties his previous employer had purportedly caused him. He informed BBC News NI that his Google post “explained the ordeal that I went through”. In late October, Mr Ballentine went back to the UAE for a brief vacation, at which point he was promptly arrested on suspicion of slander. He was moved from Abu Dhabi to Dubai, where he must now await the resolution of his case, either through a court hearing or the dismissal of charges. Mr Ballentine’s relatives have recounted the panic and anguish they experienced when he failed to make contact for several hours after his flight arrived, contrary to his usual practice. “Everyone was trying to contact hospitals, police, immigration,” he clarified. Ultimately, a local individual provided him with phone credit to call home and inform his family of his well-being. “I’m very blessed for him,” Mr Ballentine stated. Despite no longer being under arrest, he is unable to return home due to his travel prohibition and is consequently residing with a friend in Dubai until he receives permission to depart the UAE. Currently, he is unable to work for income in the UAE, cannot return to his previous employment, and has no indication of how long it may take for his case to be heard. He conveyed to BBC News NI that he was endeavoring to remain positive and optimistic, but found the experience exceedingly challenging. “A few days ago I went for a walk out around the complex and I could literally have just collapsed and cried,” he recounted. “It has just been very traumatising, it will probably take me quite a while to get over this.” Sean Morgan, a close friend of Mr Ballentine, is one of the individuals spearheading the effort to facilitate his return home. He characterized the charges against Mr Ballentine as “ridiculous.” “It’s exceptional to think that you could be stuck in a county for 12 months over a Google review, which is just ludicrous in my opinion,” Mr Morgan stated. Mr Morgan and other activists are receiving support from the advocacy group, Detained in Dubai. On Friday morning, they conducted a live question and answer session on X, previously known as Twitter, to increase public knowledge of the situation. Mr Morgan mentioned that it has been a period of stress and anxiety for Mr Ballentine’s friends and family. “He’s trying his hardest just to stay positive,” he noted, but acknowledged that his friend occasionally experiences periods of melancholy or apprehension about potential re-arrest. Furthermore, Mr Ballentine is “suffering the financial burden of being in Dubai and not able to work.” “There is only so much sitting around you can do,” Mr Morgan commented. The campaigners urged Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill to intercede with the UAE authorities. O’Neill also serves as an assembly member for the Mid Ulster constituency, which encompasses Mr Ballentine’s hometown of Cookstown. “I haven’t had any direct contact with her personally but I have been in contact with her office and she has sent letters to the UAE embassy,” Mr Morgan revealed. “So I’m hoping that with more of a push there will be a bit more progress made.” He further expressed his hope that a meeting could be arranged “so that something can be achieved very soon to get Craig out of there”. Mr Ballentine possessed a UK passport, and campaigners have additionally requested the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to assist in lifting the travel ban. Last week, an FCDO spokesperson stated: “We are providing support to a British man in the UAE and have been in contact with the local authorities.” BBC News NI has reached out to the UAE government for a statement. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.