A tourist in the UAE faces prison for asking not to make noise (3 photos)

Category: Interesting photo stories, PEGI 0+

30 January 2024

Ian McKeller, 75, from Aberdeenshire, Scotland, came to the UAE to visit his daughter and granddaughter. The neighbors were having a New Year's party, and Ian's daughter had to go to work early in the morning, so they asked the residents to keep the noise down.

An hour after the New Year, they wrote a message asking them to turn down the music, but, according to them, it only became louder. Ian decided to go to the neighbors, taking the baby with him so that his daughter could get some sleep.

When no one answered the door, the man noticed a path leading to the garden where the party was taking place. He asked neighbors if they could move the celebration indoors. The guests began to push the pensioner and shout at him, even knocking his granddaughter’s bottle out of his hands. And the hostess completely doused him and the child with her drink.

Ian called her actions “unacceptable” and wanted to call the police, but her daughter was against it and did not want to incite a conflict. In an unexpected turn of events, Ian was accused by a neighbor of trespassing on her property. Now the Scot is facing prison time.

Radha Stirling, a lawyer and CEO of Detained in Dubai, is now fighting for Ian's release. He explains: "In Dubai, standard practice is to file a police report if you are at risk of being reported. Law enforcement tends to side with whoever files the report first. This is how people familiar with Dubai justice manipulate the system in their own way." "It is common practice for foreigners in this situation to offer financial compensation to their accuser. Dubai authorities must stop this blatant abuse of the criminal justice system."

Andrew Bowie, MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, is also helping McKeller. The official contacted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and provided information on the case.

Bowie's lawyers are providing advice and support to the McKeller family and are working to ensure that Ian receives the medical care he needs.