In a distressing message to his family, a British father shared his harrowing experience of being held in detention in Dubai, where he claims to have been subjected to torture despite being innocent of any crimes in the country.
Ryan Pepper, a 27-year-old from Ashford, Kent, has been incarcerated in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the past six months. Originally moving to Dubai to make a fresh start after a relationship breakup, his plans were disrupted when he was arrested upon returning from a trip to New York last November, along with a group of other individuals.
In a letter penned from his prison cell and addressed to his family, Ryan expressed his anguish, stating, “I have not committed any crimes in this country. I am being unlawfully detained without any indication of legal proceedings or updates on my case. I am eager to see you all. Please seek help from the media to secure my release as soon as possible.” Ryan’s sister Chloe, unaware of the reasons behind his detention, revealed that he had undergone dental extractions and had been deprived of necessary medication.
With no communication for several months, Chloe only received confirmation of Ryan’s well-being during a welfare check by the British Embassy in February. She disclosed, “He was kept in solitary confinement without exposure to daylight for over four months. The treatment he endured was deemed inhumane. He suffered dental extractions and other forms of torture.”
Prior to his arrest, Ryan was employed in the computing sector and was looking forward to reuniting with his one-year-old and three-year-old children whom he had not seen since August 2025. Chloe shared, “One of the first questions he asked me was about his children. I reassured him that they are doing fine and that we talk about him regularly.” The ordeal has taken a toll on the family, resulting in emotional distress and strain on relationships.
Chloe recently spoke with Ryan, who informed her of an unexpected visit by officials from the British Embassy to the prison. Following a closed-door meeting, it was agreed that an investigation would be initiated to address the situation.
In collaboration with the law firm Detained In Dubai, Chloe is actively working towards bringing her brother back home. The UK Foreign Office affirmed its support for the detained British citizen in the UAE, stating that they are liaising with local authorities on the matter.
For any inquiries or comments, Detained In Dubai has been contacted.