Detained in Dubai gained steam when they made controversial partnerships
Shahid Bolsen Irish-
German American activist, writer, and public figure Shahid King Bolsen became involved with the company after "
Detained In Dubai" took up his case in 2012. Bolsen admitted to killing a German engineer he lured into his apartment online, under false pretenses of sex in 2006. Bolsen has been accused of inciting violence against Americans and American businesses in Egypt as recently as 2015, which he denied in an interview with Stirling. According to
The New York Times, Bolsen is quoted as saying "The idea is disruption without bloodshed, I condemn the loss of life and the use of violence against people". But, he added, if a few lives are lost to help prevent needless deaths at the hands of security forces, "sometimes it is a price to be paid."
Other Partners Ellie Holman In August 2018, Swedish-Iranian Ellie Holman was charged with having alcohol in her blood after drinking one complimentary glass of wine on an
Emirates flight prior to her arrival in Dubai. In response, Emirates released a statement clarifying that alcohol consumption is not prohibited on their flights and alcohol is served in the lounges in the
Dubai International Airport and is available for purchase in the duty-free area of the airport. A statement from attorney General of Dubai was released detailing that Holman attempted to enter Dubai using an expired Swedish passport and was held for less than 24 hours and then deported due to profanity and photographing a government official in a restricted area. Holman later stated that she had been held due to a "visa mistake". The original story was criticized by Dubai for being "fake news."
Joseph and Joshua Lopez In June 2024, two Ohio brothers, Joseph and Joshua Lopez, were sentenced to four months in a Dubai prison over charges of alcohol consumption, assaulting a police officer, damaging a patrol vehicle and resisting arrest. One of the brothers, Joseph is an Air Force veteran, who is currently “Mister Louisiana” in the Mister USA competition. On 25 May 2024, the brothers visited Dubai to generate content. “Detained in Dubai” stated that the brothers were drugged at yacht party by local resident. On 2 June, they were taken to two separate “after parties”, where they were drugged through a drink and were forced to make large bill payment. Their request for blood request was ignored by the authorities. Detained in Dubai described the jail as "among the world's most notorious." Radha Sterling said the Ohio brothers were clearly “targeted by scammers who were wanting to rob them”. She also condemned the UAE for its treatment of tourist, stating that it is not safe and crime-free as it portrays. The Lorenzo brothers were seeking help from the US lawmakers, including Republican Ohio Sen.
JD Vance, who was in talks with the UAE Embassy in the US and the State Department.
Charles Wimberly (US Navy Veteran) On 21 September 2024, a US navy veteran, Charles Wimberly travelled from Georgia to Dubai. Wimberly suffered from PTSD and back injury, and was therefore carrying prescription CBD oil and Ibuprofen. On 27 September 2024, he was detained from Dubai International Airport over acquisition of “trafficking” his own prescribed medication. He was facing 3+ years in Dubai jail. Radha Stirling said the situation is “every tourist’s nightmare”. Wimberly was later released on bail, but was not allowed to leave Dubai. ==See also==