UAE bars disabled son of exiled activist from joining family in UK

Mohammed Alnuaimi's cerebral palsy means he is unable to speak or to move without assistance

Despite pleas Mohammed has not been allowed to join his parents and four siblings in the UK

The severely disabled 20-year-old son of an exiled activist from the United Arab Emirates is being prevented from joining the rest of his family in Britain despite growing fears for his worsening physical and mental health.

Mohammed Alnuaimi, whose cerebral palsy means he is unable to speak or to move without assistance, was recently rushed to hospital in Sharjah with a high fever. Although he recovered, the attending doctor noted that he was suffering from psychological problems.

His mother, father and four siblings are now in the UK, but despite pleas Mohammed has not been allowed to join them. In the absence of his immediate family, his grandmother and his father’s sisters are caring for him.

“My sister tells me Mohammed is always looking at the door, expecting his mum to come,” Ahmed Alnuaimi said. “He can’t speak, but he used to laugh with his eyes. He is a lovely boy, but now he does not laugh.”

Mr Alnuaimi’s life in the UAE, and that of his family, was turned upside down in July 2012.

While he was out of the country, family and friends called him to say that security forces were conducting mass arrests, and they warned him not to come home, as he would be seized at the airport.

It was part of a sweeping crackdown by UAE authorities on people they claimed were plotting the overthrow of the government, that began just after Mohamed Morsi had swept to power in a democratic election in Egypt.

Mohammed's father, Ahmed Alnuaimi

The rise of Mr Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood had badly rattled the ruling families in several of the Gulf states. Nowhere was that more true than in the UAE. Most of those arrested were members of a conservative religious society, Al Islah, with links to the Muslim Brotherhood. The Brotherhood was subsequently declared a terror organisation by the UAE and neighbouring Saudi Arabia.

Mr Alnuaimi, one of the leaders of Al Islah, insisted that there was no truth to the UAE government’s claim of a plot. “We are a social and educational society. We are a peaceful organisation,” he told The Independent.

His trial, and that of 93 others – the so-called UAE 94 – was widely condemned by international human rights advocates, who argued the proceedings were in flagrant disregard of fair trial guarantees. Of those on trial, 68 were found guilty, including Mr Alnuaimi in absentia.

He received a 15-year jail sentence. “The charges against me are false,” he said. “They have no proof, there is no evidence against me or Al Islah. So why do they punish the child?”

His wife Amal and their other four children twice tried to leave the country but were turned away at the airport without explanation. They eventually got out by another route, arriving in Britain last year, but were unable to bring Mohammed with them.

Now Mr Alnuaimi is extremely concerned about his son’s physical and mental wellbeing. “His health is deteriorating. My wife is desperate to see Mohammed. He needs his mother, he needs his family,” he said.

He also alleges that Mohammed’s health card has been revoked, making it difficult for him to secure the treatment he requires.

He says he is determined to be reunited with his son. “I will not stop,” he said. “I will never give up until Mohammed is with me.”

The UAE embassy did not respond to a request by The Independent for comment.