A Northern Irish man has been detained and may spend Christmas abroad following a negative Google review.
Craig Ballentine was arrested at Abu Dhabi airport in October after he posted a critical review online about his former employer in Dubai.
Radha Stirling, an advocate for tourists facing legal issues in the UAE, explained that Ballentine’s comments targeted a dog grooming salon where he had worked for six months in 2023.
Ballentine claims he needed time off from his job due to illness and provided his employer with medical certificates to support his leave.
Nevertheless, the dog grooming business in Dubai reported him as ‘absconded’ to local authorities, leading to his return to the UK.
While back in the UK, Ballentine wrote the negative review, which led to his arrest in Abu Dhabi during a holiday.
Charged with slander, Ballentine says he has since paid a fine and received a one-month social media ban, as reported by the BBC.
As Ballentine hopes to be home for Christmas, he has learned of a court appeal that might keep him in the UAE during the festive period.
Speaking to BBC News NI, he expressed his distress: “I think anyone would be quite devastated. While I was in the middle of the transit going there [police station], I got the email that the court was not happy and they wanted to appeal again.
“I called friends and family and couldn’t stop crying, because you’re holding on to those emotions, you’re just trying to focus on ‘let’s get out of here’ and that was the priority yesterday – to get the travel ban lifted and just get out as soon as possible.
“The next flight was 2am and that was the main goal – and then everything collapsed.”
The BBC reports that Ballentine is preparing for the chance of spending Christmas far from home, though a GoFundMe campaign aims to ‘Help Bring Craig Home!’.
“What started out as a holiday to catch up with friends for Craig has turned out to be a living nightmare,” the fundraiser expresses.
“We are asking for help to cover the financial burden that this case has taken on Craig who has been out of work due to the fiasco that his previous employer has caused. The burdening costs are crippling and any help will be greatly appreciated. At present legal fees are crippling and any money raised will go to help clearing these costs.”
The GoFundMe campaign concluded by stating that any remaining funds would be directed to Stirling.