Overview

• Craig Ballentine, a 33-year-old from Cookstown, was arrested in Dubai after posting a negative review of a dog grooming business.
• Ballentine's arrest highlights the UAE's cybercrime laws, which criminalize online criticism and have ensnared foreigners in legal troubles.
• Campaign group Detained in Dubai has called for diplomatic intervention, citing the improbability of the case being dropped under local laws.
• Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill has been urged to intervene diplomatically to secure Ballentine's release.
• Ballentine's family, initially fearing for his safety, is receiving support and advice from O’Neill’s office as they navigate the legal situation.