A former US Air Force veteran turned social media influencer and his brother have been imprisoned in Dubai after alleging they were ‘drugged’.
Joseph and Joshua Lopez called for assistance last month following a night out in Dubai that ended with them waking up in a police car.
The brothers had traveled to the United Arab Emirates on May 25 to create content for their social media accounts. On June 2, after leaving a nightclub, they reportedly met an Uber driver who offered to take them to an afterparty at a hotel.
During an interview with Fox and Friends First, Joseph, a veteran, claimed they were presented with ‘platters of food, hookahs, a bottle’, and decided to ‘go with it’.
When the hotel party concluded, the brothers were invited to a yacht party, where they were allegedly handed a significant bill. Joseph considered this a ‘misunderstanding’.
After resolving the issue, an unidentified woman reportedly gave Joseph a drink.
“I literally don’t remember anything for the rest of the night except for a few seconds here and there,” he stated.
They later found themselves in the back of a police car, facing charges that included assaulting an officer, resisting arrest, damaging a patrol vehicle, and alcohol consumption.
In the UAE, alcohol consumption is restricted to licensed establishments like bars, restaurants, and hotels. Public intoxication or carrying a drink outdoors is illegal and punishable by a fine of approximately $1,360 or up to six months in jail.
Joshua and Joseph were released on bail but were prohibited from leaving the country while awaiting their court dates.
Last week, both appeared in court on charges of alcohol consumption and were each sentenced to one month in prison.
Their sentences could be extended if they are convicted of the remaining charges, which they are set to face tomorrow (August 20).
In their Fox interview, the brothers mentioned that the State Department is ‘aware of the situation’.
However, they called for more action, stating: “Our lives are at stake here. Like the amount of years in prison that these charges can give us… It could be this could ruin our lives.”
The organization Detained in Dubai, which focuses on those facing legal issues in the UAE, has called for US diplomatic intervention regarding the brothers’ case.
“Without diplomatic intervention, these boys face potentially years in jails notorious for human rights abuse and torture,” said CEO Radha Stirling.
“Joseph Lopez is an air force veteran who helps people in difficult situations through his mental health advocacy. He and his brother deserve every effort from the US government to bring him home,” she added.