The family of a British father are urgently pleading for his release after he allegedly suffered torture in a Dubai detention facility, according to reports from Metro. Ryan Pepper, a 27-year-old father of two from Ashford, Kent, has been held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for over seven months, facing allegations of beatings, threats, and psychological abuse.
Handwritten Notes Smuggled from Jail
Legal advocacy group Detained in Dubai revealed that handwritten notes smuggled from the facility describe the jail as 'hell.' The notes claim that 'everyone was beaten up' and that police had 'kidnapped and robbed' detainees. Ryan allegedly expressed fear that communications were monitored, preventing him from detailing the abuse safely. Another detainee reportedly contacted the family, stating Ryan was confined for 20 days and physically abused, with officials allegedly using pliers to extract four front teeth.
Family's Desperate Plea for Proof of Safety
Ryan's sister, Chloe Pepper, spoke to him by phone on May 13 after weeks of denied calls. She described a mix of relief and sorrow: 'Even though I was getting these handwritten notes, I feared they might be backdated. Hearing his voice was a relief, but also heartbreaking because of what he endured.' During the call, Ryan described 'inhumane' treatment and said he feared for his life. Chloe stated, 'We are begging for proof our loved one is safe. No family should have to live like this.'
Concerns Over British Official Access
Detained in Dubai claims that British Embassy officials met Ryan on February 16, but UAE authorities supervised the visit. However, a surprise unsupervised meeting occurred yesterday, where Ryan reportedly discussed mistreatment. Chloe said the family no longer trusts official reassurances, as Ryan had disclosed abuse to officials but felt unheard. Radha Stirling, founder of Detained in Dubai, criticized the Foreign Office for relying on reassurances obtained in monitored environments, stating, 'British officials cannot meaningfully assess torture allegations if meetings are monitored by the same authorities accused of abuse.'
Arbitrary Detention Concerns
Ryan was arrested on November 3, 2025, alongside about 15 others, though his family and the Foreign Office reportedly do not know why he was detained. Stirling noted that authorities often arrest dozens of people while investigating a single issue, leaving innocent individuals imprisoned for extended periods. The family has raised the case with the UN Special Rapporteur on torture and the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. The Foreign Office and UAE embassy in London have been contacted for comment.
The family lives in constant fear that Ryan will become another British casualty of the UAE detention system. The case highlights ongoing concerns about the treatment of foreign detainees in the UAE and the effectiveness of diplomatic safeguards.
