FINE GAEL MEP Seán Kelly has given a letter to the UAE’s ambassador to Belgium appealing for the release of Ryan Cornelius, who has been imprisoned in Dubai for the last 17 years.

Cornelius is a British citizen whose wife Heather Cornelius is Irish. He was jailed in 2008 on the back of debt charges when Dubai Islamic Bank foreclosed on a loan from the then-property developer. 

Despite Cornelius being ahead of his loan repayments, the bank seized all of his assets, which amounted to many times the value of the debt. 

His imprisonment has been labelled unjust by the United Nations.  

Heather Cornelius outside 10 Downing St in London, urging UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to secure her husband's release. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

The letter presented by Kelly is addressed to the UAE’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and was signed by 45 members of the European Parliament. 

“Mr Cornelius is seventy-one years old, in fragile health, and bankrupt,” the letter reads.

“He has no conceivable means of repaying the debt owed to the Dubai Islamic Bank. Indeed, it appears that the value of the security already taken has more than covered the debt. 

“His seventeen-year absence has placed an immense burden upon his wife and children, who continue to endure great hardship. 

“After so many years, we suggest that his continued detention can serve no further purpose. To grant him clemency now would stand as a testament to Your Royal Highness’s compassion and magnanimity.”

The letter also notes that it is “a rare occasion for such a broad cross-section of Members of European Parliament to unite in a single appeal”. 

Kelly has been leading the efforts in the European Parliament to secure Cornelius’ release. 

In July, he led an urgency resolution in Strasbourg, which received support from 511 of the parliament’s 720 MEPs, condemning the “gross miscarriage of justice” in the case and calling for his immediate and unconditional release.

Cornelius’ case was also raised in the Dáil in July by Social Democrats TD Sinéad Gibney, who told Tánaiste Simon Harris:

“While the technical consular responsibility lies with the UK, we can help her. I do not agree that the UK has supported Heather and her family.” 

Kelly said in a statement today that, as an Irish MEP, he was “especially conscious of the pain this has caused Ryan’s wife”.

“The Parliament spoke clearly in July: his rights have been trampled, and it is time for decisive international action,” he said.

“This is a humanitarian request. After seventeen years, we believe mercy is not only justified but urgently needed.”