An Irish man faces ‘several years’ in a Dubai prison after sending a ninja emoji to an acquaintance who allegedly stole his belongings.
Stuart Quiney traveled to the UAE in September and is currently staying with a friend while a travel ban is in place.
The text messages were sent before the 39-year-old went there.
In January 2022, the property renovator accompanied his friend to Dubai to help him set up his new life.
Stuart, from Laragh, Co Wicklow, Ireland, was introduced to a Belgian resident who helped his friend get an apartment.
Stuart stayed with his friend for two months before returning to Ireland.
The avid golfer and gardener planned to return to the UAE a week later to spend more time with his friend.
He left some of his belongings in the apartment.
Stuart Quiney (pictured, left) traveled to the UAE in September and is currently staying with a friend while a travel ban is in place
Stuart now faces several years in prison for his emoji use
A spokesperson for Detained in Dubai claimed: ‘While both Stuart and his friend were away, the Belgian let himself in and removed all their personal belongings without permission.
‘Stuart was understandably upset and hoped he could get his stuff back. They were personal to him, including small but sentimental gifts from his late grandmother.
‘Stuart drafted several legal letters but these were completely ignored.’
“I don’t mind the clothes, it’s just my grandmother’s stuff and a gift from a friend that are very important to me,” he told crisis manager Radha Stirling, the founder of Detained in Dubai.
‘I came over in June last year and sent him a few messages, basically saying I wanted my stuff back or I would go to the police, but again I got no response.’
After returning to Ireland he received more bad news.
His grandmother suffered from dementia and was moved into a house.
“It hit him very hard,” Ms Stirling added.
He is now banned from leaving the UAE
Stuart sent these emojis to his Belgian partner, which were used as evidence for the alleged threat
‘She’s his best friend. He dealt with the pain by drinking alcohol, something he does only once or twice a year.
‘While drunk, he must have remembered the theft, grabbed his phone and sent emojis of ninja man and blood drop to the Belgian.’
Mr Quiney told Ms Stirling: ‘I drink very rarely so this is completely out of character for me.
“I’ve never had any trouble with the law.”
When he arrived on September 6, he was immediately taken into custody, transported to Al Barsha police station and told he was not allowed to leave the country, the organization said.
“He has been told he could face several years in prison under strict laws that prohibit rude, offensive or threatening text messages, even if expressed sarcastically or in jest between close friends or lovers,” Detained said in the statement. Dubai.
“Stuart’s mother has been in contact with the prosecutor and they have both apologized, but he has said he will not withdraw the case,” Stirling said.
She said Dubai’s strict laws are often abused by complainants who open police cases merely as a means to extort victims.
‘It is unreasonable that this can happen.
‘This puts people at risk of false accusations and unlawful prosecutions.
“The UAE’s cybercrime laws are very dangerous for tourists.
“They are unclear, subjective, applied arbitrarily and the penalties can be severe.”