Dubai prison threat for man accused of sending threatening emojis in 'drunken state'

Stuart Quiney travelled sent the text messages before he travelled to the United Arab Emirates in September and was questioned over sending emojis of a ninja and blood drop

An Irish man is facing a stint in a Dubai jail after he was accused of sending threatening emojis.

Stuart Quiney, travelled to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in September and is currently staying with a friend while subject to a travel ban. The text messages were sent before the 39-year-old went there. In January 2022, the property renovator accompanied his friend to Dubai to help him set up his new life.

Stuart, of Laragh, Co Wicklow, Ireland, was introduced to a Belgian resident who assisted his friend to get an apartment. Stuart stayed with his friend for two months before returning to Ireland. The keen golfer and gardener had intended to return to the UAE a week later to spend more time with his friend.

He left some of his belongings in the apartment. A spokesperson for Detained in Dubai said: "While both Stuart and his friend were away the Belgian let himself into the place and removed all of their personal belongings without permission. Stuart was understandably upset and hoped he'd be able to recover his things, they were personal to him including small but sentimental gifts from his late grandmother. Stuart drafted multiple legal letters but they were completely ignored."

"I don't really mind the clothes, it's just those things that were my grandmother's and a gift from a friend that is very important to me", he told crisis manager Radha Stirling, the founder of Detained in Dubai. "I came over in June last year and sent him a few messages, basically saying I wanted my things back or I would go to the police but I got no reply again."

After returning to Ireland he got some more bad news. His grandmother was suffering dementia and being moved into a home.
"It hit him very hard," added Ms Stirling. "She is his best friend. He dealt with the pain by drinking alcohol, something he only does once or twice a year. In a drunken state he must have remembered the theft reached for his phone and sent some emojis of ninja man and blood drop to the Belgian."

Mr Quiney told Ms Stirling: "I very rarely drink so this is completely out of character for me. I've never been in trouble with the law."

When he arrived on September 6, he was immediately taken into custody, transported to Al Barsha police station and told he could not leave the country, the organisation said. Detained in Dubai's statement explained: "He has been advised that he could face several years in prison under strict laws that prohibit rude, offensive or threatening text messages, even if expressed sarcastically, jokingly between close friends or loved ones. Stuart's mother has been in touch with the accuser and they have both apologised but he has said he won't withdraw the case."

She said Dubai's strict laws are often abused by complainants who open police cases merely as a means to extort victims. "It's unconscionable that this is allowed to happen," she added. "It puts people at risk of false allegations and wrongful prosecutions. The UAE's Cybercrime laws are highly dangerous to tourists. They are unclear, subjective, arbitrarily enforced and the punishments can be severe."

Now, Mr Quiney is relying on financial support from his family as he can't work and is suffering "sleepless nights, sickness and extreme anxiety," according to Detained in Dubai. Ms Stirling added: "He fears he won't see his beloved grandmother before she passes and is praying he gets home before Christmas."