Inmate starts to weaken as he fears he will be force-fed

A hunger-striker at Dubai Central Jail is beginning his third day without water this morning.

Oliver Loeb, a 51-year-old Belgian, has been refusing food for more than three weeks and stopped taking water on Tuesday, saying he would prefer to die than stay in jail.

In a brief call to 7DAYS, Loeb said he had an emergency visit from a member of staff from the Belgian Consulate yesterday, who promised to raise his case with senior authorities.

Loeb, who was sentenced to two years for cheque fraud after a business partner withdrew promised funding for his general trading business, fears he will be force-fed when he collapses.

He said: “They might force feed me when I collapse but there is no point because when I come out of hospital I will just refuse water again.”

7DAYS was unable to confirm with prison authorities whether it is their policy to force feed people whose lives are in danger due to hunger striking.

Loeb’s cellmate, Irish businessman Christopher Renehan, 38, began a hunger strike over his cheque fraud sentence two days before Loeb did.

He said: “We’re very concerned about Oliver. He can hardly walk. We’ve put the mattress from his bed on the floor because he can’t reach it otherwise. He’s now just lying there.”

myra@7days.ae