Albert Douglas, 63, spent three years behind bars in the UAE
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A British expat has issued a stark warning after relocating to the United Arab Emirates in pursuit of an idyllic lifestyle – urging fellow Brits: “Don’t move to Dubai“. The expat’s journey took him from the luxury of a Rolls Royce to enduring torture at the hands of police, who broke his fingers.
Albert Douglas, aged 63, endured years imprisoned in Dubai after arriving in the UAE during the late 1990s. Speaking to the MailOnline, he cautioned: “Be careful and be aware of what happened to me – it could very, very easily happen to you.”
Mr Douglas spent three years incarcerated in the Middle Eastern destination, which has become increasingly popular amongst British influencers and expatriates seeking to benefit from favourable tax arrangements and an attractive lifestyle.
He warned: “If you get in trouble, and you’re a British citizen in the United Arab Emirates, forget the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. It can’t help you. They’ll give you a lot of comfort in soft words, but that’s it. No more.”
Mr Douglas, whose son operated a flooring company, was contracted to undertake multi-million-pound government-linked projects. However, his 39 year old son encountered mounting difficulties recovering payment for completed work, eventually finding himself unable to settle debts with his creditors.
Following this, Mr Douglas was detained and ordered to pay a £2.5million penalty, while also receiving a three-year custodial sentence. Radha Stirling, founder of Detained in Dubai, who supported the family throughout the proceedings, explained to the Daily Mail: “As an expert witness, I have testified that success makes you more vulnerable in Dubai.”
She continued: “Investors become targets in a system that allows baseless allegations to be used as a premise to strip entrepreneurs of their assets, wealth and their freedom.
“The lack of transparency, fair trials, and the prevalence of arbitrary detention, discrimination and human rights abuses are the reasons UK courts have continuously refused extradition requests, and why so many entrepreneurs have found themselves behind bars in what is promoted as a safe investment hub.”
She added: “Due to the lack of judicial process and entrenched corruption within law enforcement, that is often all that is required. The UN has now cleared Albert and his son but it’s not enough.
“They are seeking real accountability.” This warning emerges against the backdrop of the continuing Middle East crisis. So far, 21 individuals have been detained in connection with their social media activity following Iran’s strikes on the UAE.