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Writer's pictureDetained in Dubai
Oct 25, 20212 min read

Clemency request for Billy Hood

Clemency request for man sentenced to 25 years over CBD oil sent to HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.


A desperate mother's plea to have her son returned to her before Christmas

Billy Hood, a 24 year old who has been sentenced to an incredible 25 years for CBD oil left in his car by a friend he’d dropped off at the airport, hopes the ruler of Abu Dhabi will hear his plea. Mother Breda Guckion, along with lawyers for Billy, have submitted a clemency request to the ruler of Abu Dhabi ruler, HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyani.


Divya from Mohammad Al Najjar Advocates said “With the cooperation of the British Embassy, we have submitted a clemency request on behalf of Billy Hood and hope for a positive outcome for Billy’.


“Clemency requests are often submitted by foreign governments on behalf of their citizens in cases where there has perhaps been an injustice or where there are human rights concerns or if a prisoner is ill”, confirmed Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai and Due Process International. “Rulers have directly intervened in other cases like Jamie Harron’s, and have granted clemency to prisoners in the past like Farzan Athari. Matthew Hedges was ‘pardoned’ after being accused of espionage in the UAE”.


In a heartfelt letter to HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Billy’s mother Breda explained the case background and pleaded for her son:


“Billy has suffered in prison for the past nine months and I beg you, please don’t let his life be over. He has so much to offer the world and has never been in trouble with the law or even his family.

“I beg you, Your Highness, please let our boy return to us and I will be forever grateful for your mercy”.


Billy was disappointed that his appeal decision would take six weeks to hear after already having served nine months in prison for something that was outside of his control and was not his fault.


“I have been liaising with Billy’s friend who has prepared a statement for lawyers and will hopefully assist with Billy’s defence”, Ms Stirling confirmed. “The friend has confirmed that he had bought the CBD oil legally at a shop in London and that he accidentally left it behind in Billy’s car. He has explained in his statement that Billy does not use any drugs or CBD oil at all, that he did in no way traffic the CBD oil and certainly wasn’t looking to sell it. Billy’s friend regrets his actions and admits he wrongfully thought CBD was legal given how widespread its use is in Dubai.


“It was my mistake”, he told Stirling, “I can’t believe Billy has been sentenced to 25 years over CBD I bought legally in London. How can this be? I will do everything I can to help Billy come home”.




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