The family of a father detained in Dubai is expressing deep concerns over his well-being as they learn about the harsh conditions at the facility where he is being held. Ryan Pepper, 27, has been in custody in the United Arab Emirates since November 3, 2025, with limited contact with his family and no formal charges against him. Reports from Detained in Dubai indicate that Ryan has allegedly suffered physical and psychological abuse and threats from his captors, while British authorities struggle to gain access to him.
Family members, alarmed by notes from Ryan describing his ordeal, fear for his safety and worry that he may not survive the harsh treatment he claims to be enduring. According to the family’s account to Detained in Dubai, Ryan has been deprived of phone access for an extended period, relying on smuggled handwritten notes to communicate. In these notes, he details alleged misconduct by the police toward detainees and describes the facility as a dreadful place.
Chloe, Ryan’s sister, shared that initial hopes of his deportation home turned into distress as Ryan’s messages grew darker and more alarming. The family was further alarmed when another detainee informed them of Ryan’s abuse and confinement. Following severe beatings that resulted in serious dental injuries, Ryan was taken to a hospital for urgent treatment.
Detained in Dubai suggests that the hospitalization was linked to assaults in custody, contradicting official statements attributing it to prior surgery complications. Despite efforts by British Embassy officials to visit Ryan, an arranged meeting was canceled due to unspecified restrictions.
Ryan, who moved to Dubai for a fresh start, found himself detained following his return from New York last year. Concerns about his safety have prompted calls for a more transparent and independent assessment of his situation by British officials. The family’s distress echoes that of other Britons facing similar uncertainty about their detained loved ones.
Detained in Dubai’s founder, Radha Stirling, highlights the challenge of verifying torture claims when detainees may be reluctant to speak openly in monitored environments. The organization is actively supporting Ryan and others in similar predicaments, as fears of mistreatment behind bars persist among British families.
The family’s plea for proof of Ryan’s safety reflects the anxieties of many who recall past incidents of British citizens facing harm or even death while in Dubai’s custody. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has been approached for comment on this distressing situation.
