Northern Ireland Man Faces Arrest in UAE Over Negative Online Review
Craig Ballentine, a 33-year-old care worker from Northern Ireland, was detained in the UAE after posting a negative Google review about his former employer in Dubai. He now faces slander charges under UAE cybercrime laws, which may prevent him from leaving the country until his case is resolved. Mr. Ballentine has expressed feelings of trauma and isolation, while friends and family advocate for his swift release and intervention by government authorities.
A Northern Ireland holidaymaker, Craig Ballentine, has reported experiencing deep trauma following his recent arrest in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for posting a negative online review about his former employer in Dubai. During his trip in late October, he was detained at Abu Dhabi airport, where he is facing accusations of slander under the strict cybercrime laws of the UAE. Although Mr. Ballentine has been released, he is subject to a travel ban pending the resolution of his case, preventing him from returning home. In 2023, Mr. Ballentine worked at a dog grooming salon in Dubai but was marked as ‘absconded’ by the UAE authorities after requesting a leave of absence for health issues, which endangered his ability to leave the country. After enduring a lengthy and costly ordeal to remove the travel ban, he authored a Google review detailing his experiences, which led to his recent arrest. This unsettling experience has left him feeling isolated and fearful, exacerbated by the lack of contact with his family during his detention. Furthermore, he remains unable to find work or return home while he awaits the resolution of his case. Mr. Ballentine’s friends, including Sean Morgan, have deemed the situation “ludicrous,” noting how astonishing it is that an individual could face such severe consequences for merely expressing an opinion online. They are working with advocacy organizations to raise awareness of the case, particularly appealing for intervention from Northern Ireland’s First Minister, Michelle O’Neill, as well as assistance from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. As Mr. Ballentine continues to navigate this precarious legal situation, his family and friends rally in hopes that he will be able to return home soon, amidst a backdrop of mounting financial stress and emotional turmoil.
The incident involving Craig Ballentine highlights the serious implications of the UAE’s stringent laws regarding online expression. Individuals can face severe penalties, including criminal charges, for actions that may be permissible in other jurisdictions. Mr. Ballentine’s experience began after he wrote a detailed review about his former employer, which he believed sought to shed light on injustices he faced during his employment. His story raises questions about the balance between free speech and the laws governing online conduct in countries with strict cybercrime regulations.
The case of Craig Ballentine serves as a stark reminder of the potential risks associated with digital reviews in foreign countries, particularly those with stringent legal frameworks. His traumatic experience reflects the broader challenges faced by individuals navigating varying laws on freedom of expression globally. As campaigners continue to advocate for his release and seek intervention from government officials, the situation underscores the need for more widespread awareness and understanding of international legal standards concerning online behavior.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
