Man trapped in UAE prison fears he won't be able to see his family for years
An American trapped in a UAE prison fears he won't be able to see his family for years.
Robert Dobbs, 55, said he feels "stuck like a hamster on a wheel" as the US army veteran has been trapped in the United Arab Emirates for five years over a financial dispute with his former employer. Now, all he wants is to see his wife and five children, reports say.
Local authorities have prevented Robert from leaving the country and obtaining a new work visa, Insider reported. To survive in the foreign country, he's relied on odd jobs and support from his family.
Robert has been lobbying for his release Detained in Dubai, which is an organization that helps foreign travelers navigate the UAB legal system.
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Robert Dobbs has been detained in the UAB for five years (Robert Dobbs)The financial dispute began when Robert's former employer, Providence English Private School, refused to give him his end-of-service benefit, which is a bonus for the teachers in the UAE who complete a term of employment. Additionally, he claimed the school wouldn't release him from his work visa that was directly tied to his job.
He won a court case in 2018, which ruled in his favor and ordered the school to pay him the benefits, according to Insider. In what Robert said was a "retaliatory" effort, The school filed its own lawsuit demanding he pay $100,000 (£85,516) in tuition for his children who attended the school.
Robert said the claims had no evidence; however, the court case was postponed indefinitely as the COVID-19 pandemic took full effect, Insider reports. He said no one informed him of a trial date and local officials don't answer his pleas.
Robert's trial was halted once the COVID-19 pandemic took effect (Robert Dobbs)""I've been stuck in this open-air prison for five years, three-and-a-half years away from my family," Robert, who is from Wisconsin, said. "I am a veteran with PTSD as well. I'm at the end of my life, basically."
Radha Sterling, CEO of Detained in Dubai, said Robert has been jailed multiple times and even beaten by the local authorities, who he said he began to fear. She added that the situation was becoming more desolate.
"Robert has no legal avenue to appeal or to show evidence to the court that he does not owe the money," Radha said in a press release. "He was not even told there was a court date and was unable to defend himself. US diplomats must work with UAE authorities to resolve this miscarriage of justice."
Senator Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin has reportedly requested assistance from the US Department of State. A spokesperson for the US Embassy in the UAE said it might be difficult given the country's strict exit control laws. Robert said he's desperate to get home to his family. He and his children have urged American diplomats to take action.
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