Scott Richards was arrested in Dubai for sharing a charity page, regarding buying blankets and tarpaulins for refugees in Afghanistan, on his facebook page.
The 42-year-old has been held since July 28th, charged with fundraising without permission. The UK Foreign Office is said to be “providing support.”
Dubai has strict laws that prohibits charity work not registered by the UAE. These laws, newly made last year, prohibit any donations or advertising for charity campaigns that don’t have approval from the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department.
The punishment for breaking this law includes prison time between one month to one year and a 100,000 dirhams fine (£27, 000).
Richards, who is also an Australian citizen, was working as an economic development adviser and living with his wife and two children in Dubai. According to his mother who spoke to the BBC, Smith is only allowed to change his clothes once a week and has to pay for water.
