Briton to 25 years imprisonment in Dubai for CBD oil begins freedom command

A BRIT footballer jailed in Dubai for CBD vape oil has began a determined pursuit of freedom.

Billy Hood's household, 24, blown his "ridiculous arrest" after he was discovered responsible of possession, sale and drug trafficking after police discovered solely 4 small bottles of vape oil in his automotive.

Billy Hood was sentenced to 25 years in jail after police discovered CBD in his automotivePicture credit score: SWNS

Billy's buddy left 4 bottles of innocent CBD oil in his automotivePhotograph credit score: Getty

A buddy of Billy's from Ladbroke Grove, London, mentioned he was "tortured" and "tasered" in a hellish jail in Dubai.

Billy has now appealed his conviction with the assistance of activists detained in Dubai.

Based on CEO Radha Sterling, "it is vitally clear" that the court docket "by no means heard Billy's protection".

"The prosecution's proof that Billy 'sells medication' relies solely on Billy having £ 4,000 in money in his condo, and they're conscious that that cash was paid for by his employer for his teaching job," she mentioned.

Relating to the possession allegation, she mentioned "Social media communications affirm that the bottles weren't Billy's, didn't belong to him, and that he had no curiosity or want in his possession."

"Billy should not be punished for his buddy's errors," she mentioned.

"It's appalling that the police charged him with promoting medication and much more appalling that the choose accepted it."

In an announcement, his household mentioned they have been "upset" by alleged UAE "propaganda" within the case.

"The authorities first say it's CBD vape and now they're calling it one other identify," they mentioned.

“It looks like they're simply attempting to save lots of their very own horrible status after embarrassing the entire nation with this ridiculous arrest.

“Billy's drug assessments have been all unfavorable. Everybody who is aware of Billy stands for him and his 100 % anti-drug coverage.

“It's completely absurd that the police not solely ruined his life but additionally slandered him and his status.

"Ridiculous arrest"

"It is unacceptable that Billy has been held for greater than 9 months for 4 small bottles of vape oil that did not even belong to him and that he isn't enthusiastic about."

Talking to a buddy Alfie Cain after his arrest in January, Billy described how he confronted dire situations within the notorious Al Barsha jail in Dubai.

Soccer agent Alfie says Billy was overwhelmed daily for 5 days when Dubai Felony Law enforcement officials tried to power the younger coach right into a drug-related confession.

"It was unhealthy at Al-Barsha, I am not going to gloss it over," mentioned Alfie, a former non-league footballer from London.

“Once they took him to the Medication Division of the Felony Investigation Division, they beat him for a full 5 days. He advised me that the police handled him with a taser, slapped him within the face, and fed him solely bread and a few water.

"He was principally tortured and locked in a cell with 30 different folks for 5 days."

Billy advised Alfie, additionally 24, that he solely signed the drug trafficking confession as a result of the officers advised him that if he signed the doc, which was written in Arabic, they'd cease the abuse.

"Billy mentioned they advised him he might go house if he signed the paper so he gave in and signed the piece of paper in Arabic which he had no concept what he was signing however he simply needed it stopped. "

"FORCED WARRANTY"

Human Rights Watch has criticized the overcrowding and unsanitary situations within the jail.

Vaping CBD oil is authorized and standard within the UK - it is normally used to alleviate ache, anxiousness or stress.

However as a result of it typically accommodates hint parts of THC - the principle psychoactive compound in hashish - Billy was arrested and jailed underneath the United Arab Emirates' strict drug legal guidelines.

After his arrest on January 31, activists say Billy was compelled to signal a false confession in Arabic admitting extra severe crimes of promoting and buying and selling oil.

Heartbroken Billy's mom Breda advised The Solar, “I do not assume there's a phrase within the dictionary that describes the ache I am going via.

“I am unable to discuss it with out tears welling up in my eyes. It is too onerous to soak up.

Breda, a mom of three, 55, mentioned, “This isn't our Billy, he is 100 % harmless.

“The embassy acquired no assist. We have been in fixed contact with them. I contacted her daily. One of the best I've heard from them is that he's fantastic. "

In an announcement from his attorneys, Billy mentioned he had simply moved to Dubai to follow kids's soccer and was arrested whereas pulling one thing out of his automotive.

“They jumped out to arrest me and handcuffed me. An officer jumped out and pointed a taser at me and threatened to make use of it if I did not cooperate, ”he mentioned.

“They requested to point out them the place the medication are. I used to be shocked, scared, and confused. I advised them I did not know or have any medication or substances. "

The police had advised Billy that they have been enthusiastic about him as a result of they noticed one thing on social media.

Satisfied they'd the fallacious man, Billy allowed the officers to look his house and automotive, and underwent a voluntary drug take a look at, which returned unfavorable.

There isn't any tolerance for drug offenses within the United Arab Emirates.

The penalties for trafficking, smuggling and possession of even the smallest quantities of medication are extreme.

Penalties for drug trafficking can embody the demise penalty, and possession of even the smallest quantities of unlawful medication may end up in a jail sentence of a minimum of 4 years.

Billy's household has arrange a GoFundMe web page that has raised over £ 17,000 thus far.