Government 'Providing Assistance' To Former Soldier Detained In Dubai

Andrew Neal is thought to have moved to Dubai in 2015 (Picture: Detained in Dubai).

A former British soldier has been detained in Dubai for more than four months after being accused of selling drugs.

Andrew Neal, 44, served in the British Army for 24 years, part of that as a dog trainer and handler.

His representatives say he denies the drug charge and that he has been "wrongfully detained" in the United Arab Emirates city since October 2018.

Forces News speaks to Radha Stirling from 'Detained in Dubai'.

Mr Neal moved to Dubai with his wife and two children in 2015 and is thought to work there as a dog trainer.

Radha Stirling, founder of the campaign group 'Detained in Dubai' which is representing the Neal family, says police "failed" to investigate the case properly, and has appealed to the Foreign Secretary for assistance.

A spokeswoman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: "We are providing assistance to a British man after his arrest in Dubai and are in touch with his family and the UAE authorities."

Detained in Dubai say Mr Neal is innocent and that he was "forced" to sign an Arabic document with his fingerprint.

The campaign group reported that the prosecutor has now analysed the phones of those who had been arrested in connection to Mr Neal's case and they "found no communications between Andy" and another man involved in the incident.