Perry Coppins

“We advise caution to all visitors, including those transiting through the UAE to utilise caution when doing so."

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Radha Stirling, CEO and founder of Detained in Dubai

Mr Coppins was held in jail for for five weeks despite having GP prescriptions for three types of anti-anxiety drug, all legal in the United Arab Emirates, and explaining to customs officials and police that he needed enough medication for a half-year sea voyage.

"We welcome the decision by Dubai authorities to take the humane and sensible course with Perry. This case should never have escalated to the point of criminal charges, but without the scrutiny of the international media, it is unlikely that Perry would be a free man tonight. In the absence of such attention, what was essentially a misjudgment by one customs official turned into a literally life-threatening situation for Perry."

“We advise caution to all visitors, including those transiting through the UAE to utilise caution when doing so. As we have seen in many cases recently, such as Asa Hutchinson, who was merely in the vicinity of an alleged crime, even if someone has not broken the law, they can still find themselves facing prosecution."

Radha Stirling