He was moved from a jail in Dubai to one in Abu Dhabi and hasn’t been in touch with his family since
The family of a footballer who was sentenced to decades in a United Arab Emirates (UAE) prison for possession of CBD oil have said they are unable to contact him.
Billy Hood was arrested back in January 2021 by Dubai police for being in possession of tiny bottles of CBD vape oil and was subsequently sentenced to 25 years behind bars.
Along with claims from a friend that he was tortured into a confession, there have been accusations that the case against the 24-year-old was “manufactured” by police.
This has led his family to become increasingly concerned for his welfare after becoming unable to contact him. His mum claims that Hood has not even been able to contact his lawyer since he was moved from a jail in Dubai to one on Abu Dhabi, according to the Sun.
Speaking to founder and CEO of UAE legal expertise organisation Detained in Dubai, Radha Stirling, his mum Brenda said: “I can’t imagine what he’s going through now.
“He’s been moved from pillar to post and was just finally relieved to be with other British citizens in Dubai when they suddenly moved him to Abu Dhabi.
“He’s going through the most stressful time in his entire life and can’t even communicate with his family, his lawyer or the British Embassy.”
It comes after Stirling suggested the case against the young Brit had been manufactured, saying: “Billy has already spent a horrendous nine months in a Dubai jail notorious for human rights violations after being forced to confess to serious crimes in Arabic.
“Adding yet another delay to his freedom and the review of his defence evidence is gutting to the family and to Billy.
“Every day an innocent man spends a day in prison is a travesty.”
Billy was reportedly with a friend on January 31 when police pointed a taser in his face as he went to his car to get a phone charger.
He was then handcuffed and threatened with the taser if he didn’t do as he was told. Officers then confiscated the oils and pens from his vehicle.
After denying that he possessed any drugs and having his car searched, he was “taken to Al Barsha police station and kept in an isolation cell for 14 days without any hygiene products,” having no contact with the outside world.
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