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Ahmad Zeidan 'on hunger strike' in UAE jail, says father | Ahmad Zeidan 'on hunger strike' in UAE jail, says father |
(35 minutes later) | |
A student jailed in Dubai has gone on hunger strike in protest over the UK government's "lack of action" in calling for him to be pardoned, says his father. | A student jailed in Dubai has gone on hunger strike in protest over the UK government's "lack of action" in calling for him to be pardoned, says his father. |
Ahmad Zeidan was jailed for nine years in 2014 for drug possession, but says he was tortured to admit the charge. | Ahmad Zeidan was jailed for nine years in 2014 for drug possession, but says he was tortured to admit the charge. |
Manal Zeidan says he is being treated like a "third-class citizen" because he does not have "an Anglo-Saxon name". | Manal Zeidan says he is being treated like a "third-class citizen" because he does not have "an Anglo-Saxon name". |
The Foreign Office said it continued "to assist Mr Zeidan", of Reading. | The Foreign Office said it continued "to assist Mr Zeidan", of Reading. |
In 2013 Zeidan, a student at the Emirates Aviation College in Dubai, was part of a group who had accepted a ride in a friend's car when police stopped them and found 0.04 grams of cocaine, worth about £3, in the vehicle. | In 2013 Zeidan, a student at the Emirates Aviation College in Dubai, was part of a group who had accepted a ride in a friend's car when police stopped them and found 0.04 grams of cocaine, worth about £3, in the vehicle. |
The other men were given pardons or were acquitted but Zeidan, the only British citizen, was jailed. | The other men were given pardons or were acquitted but Zeidan, the only British citizen, was jailed. |
"He is starting a hunger strike to protest the lack of action by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) to raise a request for a pardon", Mr Zeidan told BBC Radio Berkshire. | "He is starting a hunger strike to protest the lack of action by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) to raise a request for a pardon", Mr Zeidan told BBC Radio Berkshire. |
"The UK government has previously requested people's release at the highest level. | "The UK government has previously requested people's release at the highest level. |
"He feels he is being treated as a third class citizen for no reason other than the fact he does not have an Anglo Saxon name". | "He feels he is being treated as a third class citizen for no reason other than the fact he does not have an Anglo Saxon name". |
A bilateral meeting between the British and UAE governments took place in March 2016 after Zeidan's case was raised in parliament by Reading West MP Alok Sharma. | A bilateral meeting between the British and UAE governments took place in March 2016 after Zeidan's case was raised in parliament by Reading West MP Alok Sharma. |
But in an email seen by the BBC, a Foreign Office caseworker told his father that during the meeting "it was decided that Ahmad's case did not reach the threshold for Her Majesty's Government to support a clemency request". | But in an email seen by the BBC, a Foreign Office caseworker told his father that during the meeting "it was decided that Ahmad's case did not reach the threshold for Her Majesty's Government to support a clemency request". |
This suggests the Foreign Office has made no formal request for a pardon. | This suggests the Foreign Office has made no formal request for a pardon. |
'Lost his future' | 'Lost his future' |
Mr Zeidan claims his son was left in solitary confinement in prison for complaining about his conditions, and talking to the British Embassy. | Mr Zeidan claims his son was left in solitary confinement in prison for complaining about his conditions, and talking to the British Embassy. |
"He's in a state of trauma, he's got severe depression," he said. "He was in the prime of his life as a student, he was in the middle of his studies, and looking forward to a career in aviation. | "He's in a state of trauma, he's got severe depression," he said. "He was in the prime of his life as a student, he was in the middle of his studies, and looking forward to a career in aviation. |
"He has lost his future". | "He has lost his future". |
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office said it would not comment on consular cases and cannot confirm or deny the hunger strike claim being made by Zeidan's family. | The Foreign and Commonwealth Office said it would not comment on consular cases and cannot confirm or deny the hunger strike claim being made by Zeidan's family. |
The UK ambassador for the UAE said the country "has the strongest rule of law of any country in the region, and among the strongest in the world. | |
Amb. Sulaiman Al Mazroui added: Abuse of detainees is a crime and any and all allegations of abuse formally registered with the appropriate authorities are taken seriously and thoroughly investigated". |