Gulf in Justice

Host Radha Stirling speaks with GB News commentator and serial entrepreneur Wolfgang Douglas, founder of WOLFMBA in a direct and hard-hitting discussion on the fallout from Iranian strikes, escalating cybercrime arrests, and serious allegations of beatings and torture in UAE detention.Wolfgang Douglas is the son of Albert Douglas, a British grandfather who was arbitrarily detained while his assets were looted. He was then beaten and tortured by guards.As regional tensions intensify, Radha explains why Dubai’s long-standing reputation as a “safe haven” is now being seriously questioned. Sitting at the centre of a volatile region, recent events have exposed risks that many investors and expatriates had either underestimated or were never warned about.The episode examines the UAE’s aggressive use of cybercrime laws, where individuals have reportedly been detained simply for sharing real-time footage or private messages relating to drone and missile attacks. Radha outlines how these laws are being applied in practice, raising urgent concerns about censorship, due process, and the criminalisation of ordinary behaviour.A key focus is the financial fallout. With instability rising, significant capital is beginning to move out of Dubai and the wider Gulf. Radha highlights the contradiction at the heart of the UAE’s messaging: while promoting itself as a safer alternative to Western markets, Gulf investors themselves have long relied on cities like London as true safe havens. That narrative is now being tested.Wolfgang shares observations from the business community, where investors are reassessing their exposure to the region and reconsidering more established, legally transparent markets.Radha Stirling is a leading civil and criminal justice expert and founder of Detained in Dubai and Due Process International. With nearly two decades of experience, she has assisted thousands of individuals facing legal issues in the UAE and has been a prominent advocate for due process, human rights, and legal reform across the Gulf.

From Battlefield to DetentionIn this powerful episode of Gulf in Justice, Radha Stirling sits down with Dr John A. King to explore the often overlooked reality of life after military service — what Dr King calls “the war after the war.”Drawing on his work with veterans, Dr King shares insights from his new book and his experience coaching military personnel through trauma, identity loss, and reintegration into civilian life. His approach focuses on recovery, purpose, and rebuilding after service — an area that closely overlaps with many of the cases Radha has handled over the years.Radha discusses her extensive work supporting military men who have found themselves detained, criminalised, or trapped in legal systems abroad , particularly in Dubai and the UAE. She reflects on cases including John Murphy, Joseph Lopez, Robin Berlin, Robert Dobbs, Perry Coppins, Charles Wimberly, and Andy Neal, highlighting the unique vulnerabilities veterans can face when navigating foreign legal systems, unresolved trauma, and high-pressure environments.Together, they examine how gaps in support, combined with the lasting psychological impact of service, can leave veterans exposed, and why greater awareness, advocacy, and protection are urgently needed.Learn more about Dr John A. King and his work:https://drjohnaking.com/Learn more about Radha Stirling, the founder of Detained in Dubaihttps://www.radhastirling.com/

Andy Slaughter, MP slams FCDO & calls for UK government action on the Gulf in Justice Podcast with Radha Stirling Andy Slaughter discusses how human rights are being overlooked with UAE trade deals being prioritised by the British government.  “It’s something that should really worry the government very much.   It’s very difficult not to conclude that a blind eye is being turned because of the advantages.  It could be trade and commerce, it could be defence but that should not trump the human rights of the individual citizens”. In a letter to Foreign Minister, Rt Hon. Dominic Raab, Slaughter and Baroness Whitaker, MP called for an increase in travel warnings and potential sanctions for human rights violations committed against British citizens like Albert Douglas. Grandfather Albert Douglas was detained in Dubai over his son’s business debts, something that Radha Stirling, regional expert and host of Gulf in Justice, explains is very common in the UAE.  Detained in Dubai’s client Morag Koussa, a British national, was released last year after being held for her estranged husband’s bank debts. Albert Douglas, in a recorded phone call from prison, testified as to human rights violations, torture and the deprivation of much needed heart medication.  Yet, the British government has not made the effort to request an inquiry into his unfair detention. Stirling, an Expert Witness in extradition cases, confirms that British courts refuse to extradite to the UAE based on ‘the real risk of human rights violations, unfair trials and torture’.  “So why has the UK not reflected these High Court rulings in their travel warnings to British nationals?”. Slaughter calls out the FCDO “If we have this good relationship with the UAE, why are we not using that relationship to put pressure on the UAE, especially with British nationals”. What is clear from this episode of Gulf in Justice, is that the UK is increasingly dependent on the UAE as a trade partner and a significant investor into UK infrastructure and private business.  The UAE has paid its way to influence policy at the highest levels in the UK and the US which is putting individuals at increased and significant risk of grave violations.

NY Court orders damages for man targeted by UAE Sheikh & his US agents because he “knew too much” New York District Court orders damages in claim against agents of “corrupt UAE ruler” who “targeted him due to his intricate knowledge of illicit oil trade with Iran, contraband trade and loss of billions of dollars of state funds”. Mr El Omari, in his claim against James Buchanan, Dechert lawyers, Andrew D Frank, Karv Communications, Intelligence Online et al., said these parties have “crossed the line, acting as propaganda agents” to a “corrupt foreign dictator in the Middle East, Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi”. El Omari names Andrew D. Frank (a/k/a Andrew D. Solomon) and Amir Ali Handjani of Karv Communications, a PR agency as a defendant and Intelligence Online, a France based Intelligence focussed publication, alongside US lawyers Dechert and partner Neil Gerrard, who are also being sued in the US and UK for their role in torture and human rights violations against other victims in RAK.  Neil Gerrard stepped down from his partnership position at Dechert following English High Court claims launched this year.  James Buchanan, who acted as a “white knight” for Sheikh Saud, was named in the suit. Full Press Release here http://www.gulfinjustice.news http://www.radhastirling.com http://www.detainedindubai.org

Qatar’s series of attacks against Australians:  Radha Stirling discusses Lukman Thalib and Ismail Talib arrests.  Radha Stirling, founder of Detained in Doha, an organisation who assists those who face injustice in Qatar, issued a statement on the detention of Australian nationals who have been held without charge since July.   Stirling, who founded Detained in Dubai in 2008 and the Gulf in Justice Podcast, also represents another Australian, Joseph Sarlak, who has been held in the country.  In the Gulf in Justice Podcast, Stirling discusses the cases of Lukman Thalib, Ismail Talib, Joseph Sarlak, Jonathan Nash, Ranald Crook, the assault of passengers onboard the flight to Sydney, women's rights, Princess Laitfa and Conor Howard.  Stirling calls on Marise Payne, the Australian Foreign Minister and the Ambassador to build a path forward with Qatar, to pave the way for better relations, to ensure that human rights violations and judicial abuses, don’t ruin what could be a productive alliance.  Qatar continues to commit grave human rights violations against Australians, and our government needs to ensure they know we will not tolerate it.  In the interim, every effort must be made to warn Australians of the risks of transiting through the country”.   Stirling is a Criminal & Civil Justice Specialist, Expert Witness, Speaker, Founder of Due Process International, Detained in Dubai, IPEX Reform, Gulf Investment Monitor and the Gulf in Justice Podcast.  Veteran Middle East justice expert Radha Stirling launched her podcast Gulf in Justice in August 2020. Stirling has helped more than fifteen thousand clients over her thirteen years with organisation Detained in Dubai, which she founded in 2008. Gulf in Justice discusses up to date topical issues, interviewing a variety of guests and promoting change in the region.   www.gulfinjustice.news  www.radhastirling.com  www.detainedindubai.org www.detainedindoha.org

The normalisation of diplomatic relations between the UAE and Israel has been touted as a great stride towards peace in the Middle East. While Israel and the Emirates have had an informal cooperative relationship for many years, the official establishment of diplomatic ties certainly goes a long way to spread regional acceptance of Israel, which should help ease tensions. The UAE immediately embarked upon fresh campaigns directed at Israeli investors and businesses, hoping to entice entrepreneurs to expand their activities into the untapped Middle Eastern economy.  And the Israeli commerce sector is equally excited for reciprocal trade and commerce, looking forward to openly accepting Arab investors into local activities. But what does the future hold for unsuspecting Israelis?  What are the risks of doing business in the UAE? Radha Stirling, founder of Detained in Dubai and the Gulf in Justice Podcast discusses. Radha Stirling is a leading human rights advocate, crisis manager and policy consultant, focusing on the UAE and the wider Middle East. She is the founder and CEO of British based organisation Detained in Dubai and its subsidiaries, (which have helped thousands of victims of injustice over the past thirteen years). Criminal & Civil Justice Specialist, Expert Witness, Speaker, Founder of Due Process International, Detained in Dubai, IPEX Reform and Gulf Investment Monitor www.gulfinjustice.news info@gulfinjustice.news

Joseph Sarlak, for the first time speaks out on his ongoing imprisonment in Qatar, denouncing the Australian government in an exclusive interview with Middle Eastern justice expert Radha Stirling.  His friend Andrew Gordon believes Joe’s treatment is reflective of a society who “consider us infidels”. Gulf in Justice Podcast is the official Podcast of Detained in Dubai, produced by Radha Stirling.  Veteran Middle East justice expert Radha Stirling launched her podcast Gulf in Justice in August 2020. Stirling has helped more than fifteen thousand clients over her twelve+ years work with organisation Detained in Dubai, which she founded in 2008. Gulf in Justice discusses up to date topical issues, interviewing a variety of guests and promoting change in the region. Gulf in Justice can be heard on Spotify and Apple Music, or with visuals on our YouTube channel.

In this new episode, Radha Stirling interviews for the first time, Australian national Joe Sarlak, who has been detained in Doha for many years after being used as a scapegoat by the Qatari royal who was his local sponsor.  His sponsor had secretly looted Sarlak’s business to pay for his own financial obligations, leaving business cheques to bounce that would see Sarlak locked up for years in Doha’s disastrous desert prison. With no possibility to defend himself and with no assistance from the Australian government, Sarlak saw himself facing his worst nightmare:  A Middle Eastern legal system, a disgusting cockroach infested prison with no medical support and a government that has abandoned him. Joe Sarlak has stuck it out.  He’s 70 years old and desperate to come home to his children.  In his exclusive interview, Joe warns Australians to avoid Qatar at all costs, describing the ordeal he has been subject to and the shambles of a legal system he has faced. Middle Eastern justice expert Radha Stirling, founder of Detained in Dubai and Detained in Doha, is representing Mr Sarlak in his efforts to achieve his freedom.  Stirling talks about Qatar’s justice system, its lobbying efforts in the West and the abuse that foreign nationals have faced in the country.  Stirling implores the Australian government to step in and help diplomatically or face judicial discipline and talks with Joe’s friend, Andrew Gorgon, about his impression of Qatar. Radha Stirling represented Conor Howard, a Scottish man who was arrested in Greece on the basis of a Qatar issued Interpol Red Notice over an herb grinder he bought in Australia.  Stirling discusses Qatar’s Interpol abuse, as well as the cases of Jonathan Nash and Ranald Crook, British nationals who she also represents and who are also facing similar abuse in the country, after deciding to bring their skills to the Gulf State. The episode makes it clear that Qatar needs to quickly resolve these cases, before its reputation goes irredeemably south. #JosephSarlak #FreeSarlak #Qatar #DetainedinDoha #Doha #RadhaStirling #Doha #QatarInvestmentWarning #QatarTravelWarning #DetainedinDubai #FreeRanald #FreeNash #Australia http://www.detainedindubai.org http://www.detainedindoha.org http://www.radhastirling.com http://www.gulfinjustice.news

The out of control Dubai drug crackdown has left hapless “nice guy” restaurant manager facing 25 years in jail. This episode focuses on Dubai’s desperate drug enforcement procedures which are seeing completely innocent foreigners thrown into desert jails on the basis of incentivised informants and staged sting operations, set up to win convictions that see police officers financially and professionally gain.  Desperate for promotions and financial benefits, officers and prosecutors have little regard for evidence and will push for prison terms, even where innocence is clear. Radha Stirling, founder of Detained in Dubai, talks with Xola's friends and family. www.radhastirling.com www.gulfinjustice.news www.detainedindubai.org

Middle East Civil and Criminal Justice Expert Radha Stirling, talks with lawyer and host Ali Fateh on London's Revive FM.    The Detained in Dubai founder, Radha Stirling, discusses serious hard hitting issues including the abduction of Princess Latifa from a US yacht in international waters, including India's role in the raid.  Other topics include the Israel peace deals, Dubai's money laundering, the Ras Al Khaimah - Iran sanctions violations, Interpol abuse, extradition, quid pro quo deals with India, human rights violations against migrant workers in the region, the oppression of women, wrongful arrests of foreign nationals, the targeting of investors and expats, the criminalisation of debt and pushing for accountability abroad through litigation. http://www.radhastirling.com http://www.detainedindubai.org https://revivefm.co.uk/

“You will go to prison if you don’t pay” - Two economics students face 1.5 years in Dubai jail after falling victim to tourist rental car extortion scam. Radha Stirling discusses the case of James and Stanley, British university students mistaken for Premier League footballers are fleeced for £16,000 and held in Dubai for two months over rental car extortion scam. James and Stanley arrived back in the UK on the 9th of November 2020, two weeks after Detained in Dubai took on the case. www.gulfinjustice.news  www.radhastirling.com www.detainedindubai.org

In this episode, Radha Stirling discusses the case of a 74 year old British grandfather and engineer who has been detained in Doha for over six years.    Ranald's detention serves as a warning to the construction industry that Qatar has so heavily relied upon to support its growth and preparation for FIFA 2022. Stirling talks to life long friend David Plowman and son, Ross Crook about Ranald's ongoing ordeal.  The question remains, what diplomatic efforts will the UK government make to secure Ranald's freedom? Friends and supporters of Ranald have created a Facebook group to lobby for his freedom.  #FreeRanald www.gulfinjustice.news  www.radhastirling.com www.detainedindoha.org

Miami woman detained in Dubai for starting her own accountancy business “suffered racism”. Miami accountant Danielle Jeffries, 58, is the latest American to face the Dubai justice system where she’s been sentenced to jail, a hefty fine and deportation for crimes she didn’t commit. Detained in Dubai’s founder, Radha Stirling responded to the conviction, “Despite clear evidence of Ms Jeffries’ innocence, Dubai police allowed the PRO to change his witness testimony and subsequently prosecuted both parties on behalf of their Australian accuser. Danielle has been caught up in the shambles of a legal system, thrown from pillar to post while trying to defend herself from these charges. She has tried everything to have her voice heard by authorities, even having contacted as a last resort, the Minister of Happiness, who couldn’t understand how this had happened, expressed empathy but did nothing to help. “She spent 30 days without electricity and water, utilities she couldn’t connect in her flat while her passport was with police. She’s been battling depression, physical and psychological distress and is beside herself with worry over her 93 year old mother back in the States who she can’t visit as she used to. “The fact is, she can not pay the $40,000 fine so even if she’s arrested today and thrown in prison for three months, she still won’t be able to go home to the States. She’ll be stuck in the country indefinitely.  It’s absolutely abominable that Dubai would treat investors like this. How will the city attract entrepreneurs when they can be prosecuted and jailed without evidence, then detained in the city indefinitely, with no permission to work to raise the money for their unfair fines? “Danielle Jeffries is a black woman in a Middle Eastern legal system and this in itself, will influence her access to a fair trial. The accuser, in criminal cases in Dubai, is almost always favoured and believed. Evidence is not required and a mere accusation is sufficient to achieve a conviction. Add to that the fact that she is a woman, and then that she is a black woman, and she is further disadvantaged in the judicial system. Racism and sexism are prevalent throughout the United Arab Emirates, to the point where a female rape victim will be charged with sex outside marriage, or where an Asian or African may be sentenced to death while a white Brit charged with murder, will be released in just a few years. “Congresswoman Frederica Wilson, who is supporting Danielle, approached the UAE’s Ambassador to the US, His Excellency Mr Yousef Al Otaiba, but his advice was simply to pay the fine. “We are writing to the US State Department to recommend they review and increase warnings to American citizens, and business and investment groups also need to be advised. The UAE has got away lightly with actions against US citizens. We have seen the UAE government attack a US registered yacht in international waters under false pretences, with no apparent consequence, and now we are seeing the systematic abuse of American tourists, expats and entrepreneurs in the UAE. David Oliver, was detained in Dubai over a bank debt and only through diplomatic intervention, was he returned home. Melissa McBurnie was arrested recently after being sexually harassed by an Egyptian man, only released following international outrage, and now we have Danielle, who is facing jail over a document she had nothing to do with. Gulf in Justice Podcast

Conor Howard, a young Scottish man has been detained for extradition in Greece and faces deportation to Qatar over a n herb grinder found in his luggage while transiting through Doha last year.  Qatari authorities released him at the time, but inexplicably issued an international arrest warrant against him.  He was detained last week in Greece while visiting his parents.  Radha speaks with Conor's MP, Kenny MacAskill about the case and what is being done, not only to help Conor, but to ensure that British citizens will no longer be subjected to frivolous Interpol notices issued by abusive countries like Qatar

Radha discusses the Malcolm Faren case and interviews his daughter Jasmin, talking about the appalling situation of debt hostages in the UAE

Extradited from Ukraine to Belgium - When crypto entrepreneurs are targeted. Radha Stirling talks with Simon Tadros, a tech entrepreneur who was extradited from Ukraine to Belgium, a country he had never even been to. Simon tells a story of what can happen to savvy entrepreneurs when law enforcement gets it wrong.  Interpol and extradition specialist, Radha Stirling, has represented a number of crypto entrepreneurs who have been wrongfully targeted by law enforcement and swept up in a new, worrying trend towards universal jurisdiction. “Countries are trying to extradite entrepreneurs who have never even visited the requesting country.  It’s dangerous and open to abuse.  There is significant pressure on law enforcement to crackdown on crypto users and entrepreneurs and they are misusing Interpol and the extradition process to export their authority internationally. “We can not allow a precedent to be set whereby any country can, without evidence, have someone extradited to their country, especially those who have never even been there.  Imagine if Saudi or China began requesting the same?” Simon Tadros was detained in Ukraine, extradited to Belgium to face unfair and unevidenced allegations.  He was ultimately released which exemplifies how law enforcement and universal jurisdiction are a great threat to the safety of individuals, putting them at risk of egregious human rights violations. “What Simon has been through is disgraceful.  He will not be compensated for the wrongful extradition, for the damage to his reputation, business and the personal toll it has taken on him and his family.” Stirling successfully helped British national, Christopher Emms, defend extradition from Saudi Arabia to the US and has appealed to Interpol to remove the Red Notice issued by the US in violation of Interpol’s rules. “I hope Simon’s case acts as a warning to Western law enforcement agencies who are haphazardly extraditing targets and ruining their lives, only to realise there is no genuine case”. https://www.radhastirling.com/ https://www.interpolrednotice.com/

Gulf in Justice host, Radha Stirling, interviews Mr Zulfi Bujhari, special advisor to Prime Minister Imran Khan, the “most popular PM in Pakistan’s history”. Mr Bujhari explains what led to the ousting and subsequent persecution of PM Khan and his entire party, their families and allies. Mr Buhhari fought to have a wrongful Interpol Red Notice against him removed.  He hopes that the higher legal courts in Pakistan will ultimately exonerate Mr Khan of the “falsified” legal cases against him in what is clearly a shocking example of the weaponization of a legal system against their political opponent, the democratically elected Imran Khan. Bujhari says ousting the most popular Prime Minister has set the country back decades, and the international community and allies could have done more to influence justice and fairness in his country.

DEAN MACKIN, TNT: Radha Stirling discusses, what British Tourists - especially what women need to know before traveling to Dubai and The Tierra Allan Arrest and the torture and detention of Albert Douglas. Radha Stirling is a leading human rights advocate, crisis manager and policy consultant, focusing on the UAE and the wider Middle East. She is the founder and CEO of British based organisation Detained in Dubai (which have helped almost twenty thousand victims of injustice over the past 15+ years), Due Process International and IPEX (Interpol and Extradition) Reform. Stirling also hosts the Gulf in Justice Podcast. http://www.radhastirling.com/

Apprentice star Selina Waterman-Smith's Dubai nightmare - Selina was gang raped in Dubai and has been suffering at the hands of a conman The 39 year old entrepreneur and Apprentice star has been living in “glamorous” downtown Dubai where she founded a food delivery company and expanded her events company, but living life in the sun has been somewhat of a rollercoaster. After surviving her abduction and gang rape in Dubai, Selina is now travel banned and has to pay £30,000 to her South African “stalker”. Her experience does not support the narrative that the UAE is the “second safest country in the world” and we have to assume it's the Emirates government providing the data to ranking analysts. Talking to Selina, Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai, says “it is clear that Selina is going through an extremely tough time. She’s a determined and vibrant woman but what she’s had to deal with is going to cause anyone sleepless nights, stress and PTSD. She’s keeping her head up and is determined to fight for justice”. www.detainedindubai.org www.radhastirling.com

This week, the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) removed the name of a British entrepreneur from its Red Notice database, after a successful appeal was launched by IPEX Reform against his wrongful listing.Radha Stirling, founder and CEO of IPEX Reform and Detained in Dubai, said in a statement about the case, “Our client’s removal from Interpol is a great relief for him and his family after the almost decade-long ordeal they suffered because of corruption in Qatar.