British Architect's 16-Month 'Living Nightmare' in Dubai Ends with Acquittal
A British architect who alleged the Dubai government stole his eco-design for a landmark marine project and then attempted to imprison him has been exonerated of all criminal charges. Baharash Bagherian, 43, endured what he describes as a 16-month 'living nightmare', which included a travel ban and police interrogations, after he raised concerns about the appropriation of his work.
The Genesis of Dubai Reefs and Allegations of Theft
Baharash Bagherian, the award-winning founder of architecture firm URB, first unveiled his visionary Dubai Reefs concept in May 2023. The design, which garnered global acclaim, proposed the world's largest artificial reef, focusing on ocean restoration and establishing a marine biology site. It was also seen as a potential major attraction for Dubai's tourism sector.
However, Mr Bagherian claims he never received a response from Dubai authorities after presenting his ideas. His shock came during the Cop28 climate event in 2023, hosted by Dubai, when the emirate revealed its own 'Dubai Reef' plans. According to the architect, the images showcased were simply flipped and cropped versions of his original work, with no credit given to him or his company, URB.
A Fight for IP Rights Leads to Criminal Allegations
When Mr Bagherian attempted to address the issue privately with government ministers, the situation escalated dramatically. He found himself facing sudden criminal allegations, police interrogations, and fraud charges. He was released on bail but placed under a travel ban for 16 months, preventing him from leaving the UAE. This prevented him from attending family funerals and fulfilling major international professional commitments.
The turning point in the case came when a court-appointed intellectual property expert reviewed the dispute. The expert produced a 428-page report that concluded 'without any reasonable doubt' there was 'clear and blatant evidence of the deliberate theft and unlawful appropriation' of Bagherian's intellectual property by authorities linked to the Dubai government. The report stated the actions demonstrated a clear intent to appropriate URB's vision and identity, causing serious and irreversible damage to the firm's reputation.
Relief and Reflection After a Harrowing Ordeal
Following his acquittal on all charges, Baharash Bagherian spoke of the immense personal and professional toll. He described the last 16 months as 'one of the most profoundly challenging experiences of my life'. He added, 'For 16 months, I lived under restrictions, interrogations, threats, and fear of imprisonment, all because I tried to protect my intellectual property. The system should have protected me, yet it was used against me.'
Mr Bagherian, who moved to Britain from Iran at age 12 and previously lived in Clapham, south London, had relocated to the Middle East in 2018 after winning a competition to develop a net-zero city in Dubai. While clearing his name brings relief, he emphasised that the damage to his life, family, and work has been immense.
