ATLANTA — A Navy veteran from Covington, Georgia, has now been freed after being arrested in Dubai over his prescribed medication, the organization Detained in Dubai announced on Tuesday.
According to the organization that had been lobbying for his release, charges against 52-year-old Charles Wimberly have been dropped, and he is flying back to the United States as soon as today.
Advocates state that on Sept. 27, Charles was pulled aside by airport security in Dubai during a pre-departure screening, where Ibuprofen and CBD oil were found. Despite presenting his prescriptions, advocates say he was locked up in jail.
Wimberly suffered from a degenerative joint disease and was prescribed CBD along with Ibuprofen to combat pain.
He was scheduled for surgery in November, with a six-month recovery time.
Although Wimberly was granted bail, he could not leave the country, thus putting his upcoming surgery in jeopardy.
Now, he will make it home in time for the procedure, according to Detained in Dubai.
“It has been an extremely traumatic time for all. Facing time in a Middle Eastern prison is nothing short of a nightmare. With Charles’ preexisting medical requirements, chronic pain and PTSD, any time in prison could have been life-threatening," Detained in Dubai said in a statement.
Detained in Dubai is an organization founded by Radha Stirling, a human rights advocate, crisis manager and policy consultant who focuses on the UAE and the wider Middle East.
11Alive previously reached out to the State Department for more information, which stated:
"We have no higher priority than the safety and security of U.S. citizens abroad. We are aware of reports of a U.S. citizen detained in Dubai. Whenever a U.S. citizen is detained overseas, we stand ready to provide consular assistance."
