The family of a British man detained in Dubai without charge say they fear he may die in custody after learning of alleged torture and abuse. Ryan Pepper, 27, from Kent, has been held since November 3, 2025, with no meaningful contact with his loved ones, according to campaign group Detained in Dubai.
Pepper has reported physical and psychological abuse, including beatings that left his teeth so damaged he required hospital treatment. His family says he communicated through smuggled notes describing the facility as 'hell' and alleging police 'kidnapped and robbed' fellow detainees.
His sister Chloe said: 'At first we were trying to stay positive. But then Ryan started telling us people had been beaten, isolated, threatened and denied communication. He sounded terrified. We genuinely began fearing he was going to die in there.'
Detained in Dubai claims British officials have struggled to access Pepper, with a scheduled visit cancelled due to 'short-term restrictions'. The group's founder Radha Stirling said: 'British officials cannot meaningfully assess torture allegations if meetings are monitored by the same authorities accused of abuse.'
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has been contacted for comment. Pepper moved to Dubai in May 2025 for a fresh start after a relationship breakdown, but was arrested on return from a New York trip in November.
