Albert’s son, Wolfgang, hand delivered the letter to the UAE’s embassy in London today and the government of Dubai. “This is all we can do for now, hope for the ruler’s benevolence, that he will let this grandfather come home. He’s really been through a lot and our whole family has suffered since his incarceration. It is unimaginably stressful, knowing what he’s been through, knowing he is going to hospital and we can’t be there. He’s frightened and worried that he may never see us again but he’s trying to hold out hope.

“My father is such a kind soul. He was recently caring for another grandfather who had dementia and needed help to maintain his dignity. The Dubai authorities met with the two of them and told my father they were releasing his friend. Dad thought they were both going to be released as they were transferred to a luxury two bedroom prison ‘cell’ but sadly, he was returned to the general cells after that meeting. He’s very hopeful that authorities will look into his case as they assured him they would”, Wolfgang added.

Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai noted that HH Sheikh Mohammed had intervened in special cases in the past, “Sheikh Mohammed has personally helped in other cases in the past and we hope that he will consider Albert Douglas for clemency. Albert has lived in the UAE since 1998 and had never had any problems before. I had advised him to leave Dubai but he assured me that he trusted the legal system would find him innocent. Unfortunately, it can be difficult for foreigners to navigate the justice system and lawyers do not always represent their client’s interests diligently. The forensics and expert evidence is slowly proving Albert’s innocence but his incarceration has left his businesses unattended to which has caused more cases to be lodged against him. Without an amnesty, Albert will be fated to stay in Dubai forever. We are all praying for his safe return to his family here in the UK”.