Flight attendant back in England and 60-year-old Londoner released, but wider crackdown continues.
Dubai/London: We can confirm that a British flight attendant detained in Dubai under the UAE’s cybercrime laws has been released and is now safely back in England. A 60-year-old Londoner held on similar allegations has also been freed. Detained in Dubai’s Director broke the news on Instagram:
Detained in Dubai first announced these detentions on 12 March and has since maintained sustained diplomatic efforts. The group, which provides legal and crisis response services, said they actively liaised with Members of Parliament and raised these cases directly with Downing Street. The Prime Minister responded and has since visited the region, and we trust these cases were raised at the highest levels.
“I have been anxiously awaiting this news while working closely with and supporting the families through what has been a terrible ordeal. The uncertainty, fear, and distress they have faced cannot be overstated.
“For many, this has come at enormous personal and financial cost. Individuals have lost employment, incurred significant legal expenses, and now face ongoing uncertainty about their future and whether they will ever be able to return or even transit through the hub.
“While we welcome these releases, I continue to represent clients who remain in prison under similar circumstances. We urgently hope to see further releases in the coming days.
“These cases went too far. Criminalising private messages and minor digital activity has only added to already escalating tensions and placed innocent people at risk.
“We hope the Prime Minister raised these cases directly during his visit and will continue to press for immediate embassy access to those still detained. We are receiving reports from detainees who say they have had little to no consular support and others who say the UAE has denied them access.
“The impact of the crisis is now extending beyond detainees. Residents and workers in the UAE are facing growing economic strain, with projects and contracts being cancelled or suspended, and many struggling to meet basic costs such as rent. The wider instability is beginning to affect confidence in the region as both a place to live and to do business.
“These releases mark a critical step, but the situation remains ongoing for others still detained.
“We continue to receive new cases on an almost daily basis. Today alone, we have been alerted to further arrests over photographs taken on the beach, highlighting how even the most ordinary behaviour is now being treated as a criminal offence.
“While there are indications the authorities are seeking to contain the damage and resolve cases quickly, we remain deeply concerned by ongoing reports of ill treatment and brutality in detention. We hope these concerns won’t be ignored as efforts are made to repair the UAE’s international image.”
Detained in Dubai provides legal and crisis support to foreign nationals detained in the UAE, including coordinating defence strategies with local lawyers, liaising with embassies and government officials, and advocating for fair treatment and release. The organisation also supports families, raises cases at diplomatic levels, and, where necessary, brings international attention to cases to help secure outcomes.
Press Queries: We understand that the media who have supported citizens facing prison sentences would love to talk to former detainees about their experience. Right now, this is not possible but we will advise once that changes.
In the chaos of further arrests and further releases, It is not known the exact number of British or other citizens who have been released in the past few days. We will keep posting information and announcements on socials for Radha Stirling and Detained in Dubai.