Johnson George

"Indian businesspeople, professionals and investors are finding themselves in an increasingly precarious position in the UAE. They have helped to build the country’s economy, but appear to be treated as disposable by the authorities; and the Indian government seems uninterested when their non-resident citizens like Johnson George are victimised, even though NRIs are a source of income for millions of families”. Radha Stirling, CEO and founder of Detained in Dubai

We welcome the release on bail of Indian national Johnson George, coming after the rejection of multiple bail requests since Johnson’s arrest nearly one year ago. Mr George spent the first six months of this year in solitary confinement without being so much as charged with a crime; once charges were filed, they were financial in nature and Johnson had every right to be granted bail, but was nevertheless refused until today.

Johnson is a 47 year old husband and father, with elderly parents in India anxious about his welfare and his detention has had a devastating impact on his family. Mr George worked in the legal department of the Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone Authority (RAKFTZA) since its inception, and has built a sterling reputation in his field; eventually being appointed to manage the Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone Authority after leaving RAKFTZA.

He maintains his innocence of any wrongdoing, and appears to have been caught up in an investigation into his former boss at RAKFTZA over matters that do not directly pertain to Johnson’s work.

Granting Johnson bail is a positive step on the part of RAK authorities towards fair practice, and we hope that he will be afforded sufficient and unbiased due process in this case.

Indian family man & lawyer Johnson George, breaks down in court after being denied bail in RAK fWhen Johnson George was denied bail again at a recent hearing, the 48 year-old lawyer broke down in the Ras Al Khaimah courtroom, tears streaming down his face as guards led him back to a holding cell. He has been in detention since January 2018 for a crime allegedly committed by his former employer over ten years ago.

For the first 6 months of his detention, Johnson was not even charged. His bail application has been rejected multiple times, and it is expected that a conviction will be fast-tracked.

“We have seen many false prosecutions coming out of the RAKFTZA since the new ruler came to power. The Public Prosecutor and the courts understand that these cases are essentially being made by the ruler himself to tidy up the mess left by his purge of the people appointed by his father, so due process is non-existent. Johnson George is being detained and charged for no reason except that the RAK authorities are unable to extradite his former boss."

Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai, explains