Dubai Jail hunger strikers vow to continue to the end
One of Dubai Central jail’s hunger strikers vowed to carry on refusing food just days after he received medical help.
Belgian Oliver Loeb and Irish expat Christopher Renehan are three weeks into their hunger strike to highlight their cheque fraud cases.
Yesterday Loeb, originally from Brussels, contacted 7DAYS and said: “We are quite prepared to go out of here in a box if that’s the only way to highlight our case.”
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Belgian Oliver Loeb and Irish expat Christopher Renehan are three weeks into their hunger strike to highlight their cheque fraud cases
Loeb called 7DAYS from prison just days after he had to be taken to hospital after collapsing. He said: “I lay on the floor for about an hour and a half then an ambulance was called.”
Loeb has been returned to prison and is still refusing food. He said: “My wife came to see me last week and was shocked because I’ve lost so much weight. When I came in here in January I weighed 126kg, I am 85kg now.”
Renehan, 38, started refusing food 22 days ago and Loeb joined him two days later.
Both men are in jail for cheque fraud. Renehan began his hunger strike when he was told he was not “authorised” to sign for money owed to his firm that would enable him to clear his debts and be released.
Comments
by myquest
Tuesday, May 08 2012, 10:37AM
“Why isn't the partner for this business in jail??? The issue here is blind adherence to a 'policy' . i e If a check bounces it is a crime - yes it is, but circumstances should be considered for each case. Even if he pays off the debt he still broke the law for writing a cheque without the funds to cover it.”
by AAAli1
Tuesday, May 08 2012, 9:04AM
“Take a guess at who owed him the money - conspiracyof1.”
by AAAli1
Monday, May 07 2012, 7:38AM
“I can understand Mr. Renehen's plight because his money was delayed and it is now there but cant collect it or allow anyone to collect it to clear his debt. Its a stupid system for debt restructing which will put off the business community from investing here. It is not cheque fraud when you are owed money by local companies who are lackadisical with payments. Cheque fraud is when you dont have any money at all to cover your debts.”
by conspiracyof1
Sunday, May 06 2012, 8:57PM
“How exactly is he supposed to repay money if he is not allowed to collect the money owed to him? The question then becomes, who exactly owes him money?? So confused.”