Two brothers from Ohio are currently stranded in Dubai, turning what was supposed to be a fun night out into a real-life nightmare.
Dubai’s stunning beaches and contemporary architecture have caught the eye of Joseph Lopez, a social media influencer and former US airman from Ohio. Lopez believes that Dubai would make an ideal destination for a short getaway.
Lopez explained that she had come to Dubai with the intention of shooting content, as the city had a reputation for being a glamorous location.
According to Lopez, he embarked on the journey on May 25th with his younger brother, Joshua, accompanying him.
Lopez recalls that things took a turn for the worse about a week later on June 3.
They hit the town and stumbled upon a yacht party after being invited by a new foreign acquaintance.
Lopez was shocked to receive an exorbitant bill after only a brief time on the boat, which he never consented to.
Initially, he felt relieved, assuming the problem had been resolved.
Lopez alleges that after a girl served him a drink, his memory became hazy. He firmly believes that they were drugged by the girl.
I don’t remember much from the rest of the night.
Lopez reminisces, “Suddenly, I found myself in the back of a car, and my brother asked me if I wanted him to help me get out of there. I looked down at my arms and realized they were scraped and injured. I was disoriented and clueless about my whereabouts, locked inside the car.”
At the time, the Ohio native was unaware that he had been placed in a police cruiser, with plain-clothed officers sitting in the front seats.
According to Lopez, he and his brother have been charged with resisting arrest, assaulting an officer, and violating the strict regulations surrounding alcohol consumption in the UAE.
According to him, even though they were detained by the police for several days after being arrested, they were not subjected to a breathalyzer test until a full day had passed. Additionally, it took four days before they were given a drug test.
Detained in Dubai CEO, Radha Stirling, explains that the two individuals are now facing potential charges and prosecution that could result in several years of imprisonment.
According to Stirling, the UAE is misleadingly marketed as a Middle Eastern version of Las Vegas. However, Detained in Dubai, an organization that has aided over 20,000 individuals navigating legal troubles in the UAE, including the Lopez brothers, begs to differ.
According to Stirling, it has been over a month since the incident involving the Lopez brothers, yet the prosecutors are yet to make a decision on whether or not to press charges against them.
Although they are currently out on bond, it’s important to note that they are under a travel ban.
At present, they find themselves residing in an Airbnb, anxiously awaiting what the future holds.
Lopez expresses her desire to return home, stating simply, “I just want to go home.” Her wish is to return as soon as possible, emphasizing the urgency of her desire.
According to a spokesperson from the US State Department, the safety and security of American citizens abroad is of utmost importance. The spokesperson confirmed that they are aware of the recent arrest of an American citizen in the United Arab Emirates and are closely monitoring the situation. However, due to privacy concerns, there is no further comment from the department at this time.
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