Ryan Cornelius: A Story of Justice Denied in Dubai

Despite efforts to diversify economically and strengthen foreign relations, the UAE made almost no progress on human rights. The Emirates’ human rights situation is underscored through cases like that of British businessman Ryan Cornelius.

The 70-year-old has been imprisoned in Dubai since 2008, having been convicted of fraud related to a £372mn loan from the Dubai Islamic Bank. He originally served a 10-year sentence, but received a further 20 years in 2018

The sentence was extended under retrospective application of a law to imprison debtors until they repay. His wife, Heather Cornelius asserted that her husband was arrested on a false charge instigated by the Dubai Islamic Bank.

By January 2025, Cornelius spent over 16 years in jail, along with his business partner Charles Ridley. His family urged the UK government to impose financial sanctions on Mohammed Ibrahim Al-Shaibani. Al-Shaibani is the director general of Dubai’s Ruler’s Court and chairman of the Dubai Islamic Bank

He is also a member of the Executive Council of Dubai and oversees several state-owned enterprises. Cornelius family's legal team is asking for Al-Shaibani to be added to a list of individuals subject to UK sanctions laws. The legal submission was made to the UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy by legal team, consisting of international criminal law barristers Rhys Davies and Ben Keith

They submitted a recommendation for sanctions against Al-Shaibani, accusing him of corruption and human rights abuses. Sanctions would lead to freezing of Al-Shaibani’s assets in Britain, which the family considers necessary due to his involvement in Cornelius' detention

Cornelius’ legal team claimed that he has been subjected to mistreatment and human rights violations. According to the lawyers, his assets were stolen, and his persecution is state-sanctioned. The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention declared that Cornelius' detention is arbitrary and unlawful.

The family’s legal submission to Lammy held Al-Shaibani responsible for human rights violations against Cornelius. A former Conservative leader, Sir Iain Duncan Smith called for stronger use of sanctions in such cases. He specifically called for the imposition of Magnitsky sanctions on Al-Shaibani and others involved in the case

Cases like these raise concerns over the UAE’s human rights records and unjust practices. They also pose a significant challenge to its ambitions of building global influence and attracting international tourists.

#Dubai #RyanCornelius #MohammedIbrahimAlShaibani
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