Family of Tyrone man concerned over his detention in UAE

The family of a Co Tyrone man have expressed concern after he was detained in Dubai for leaving a negative online review of a dog grooming service that he had once worked for.

Craig Ballentine, 33, from Cookstown, was detained when he returned to the country for a two week holiday.

There are strict cybercrime laws in the country covering online criticism and he is being held under them.

A conviction could lead to one year in prison and a fine of at least €25,000.

His mother Margaret Ballentine called on the UK's Foreign Office and the ambassador to the United Arab Emirates to help.

She says the charges he potentially faces are "just very silly".

"The thought of Craig going to prison over a Google review is just horrendous, we are all suffering sleepless nights and anxiety.

"It's just not something I ever imagined possible."

The story goes back to 2023 when Mr Ballentine was working in Dubai for the dog grooming service for several months.

He became unwell and took two days off sick, providing appropriate paperwork to his employer.

But campaigners say the business reported him as having absconded in violation of the country's employment law.

He then spent several months in limbo while he tried to resolve the issue.

During that period he was unable to leave, or take other work.

When he returned to Northern Ireland he left a negative Google review for the business online.

He was held when he returned for a short holiday several weeks ago.

Campaign group Detained in Dubai said he had not been contacted by the company over the review.

"We are pushing for diplomatic intervention in Craig's case. Nobody should be locked up abroad or even pushed through the judicial process over an online review.

"We are very hopeful for a positive outcome for Craig too," a spokesperson said.

His mother said his former employer could simply have asked him to take it down.

"This is going too far. He didn't use bad language, he just expressed his views which is what you're supposed to do on review sites.

"We call on the government, the foreign office and Dubai authorities to please let our son come home."

Detained in Dubai said it had dealt with thousands of similar cases.

The case mirrors that of Irish woman Tori Towey, who flew home to Dublin in July after a travel ban imposed by Dubai was lifted.

It had been raised in the Dáil by Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald who said that Ms Towey could not leave, despite being the victim of domestic violence.

After being attacked in her home she had been charged with attempted suicide and alcohol consumption.

The charges were later dropped.