Canadian government, family works to free Mississauga man jailed in Dubai

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Published December 16, 2024 at 7:41 pm

Dubai UAE Mississauga prison Addison
Maurice Kevin O'Rourke has been imprisoned in Dubai and his health is deteriorating. Detained in Dubai photo.

Family members and activists say there is hope that a Mississauga man held in a Dubai prison will be released with the help of the Canadian government.

Maurice Kevin O’Rourke, 64, is serving a life prison sentence in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for possessing cannabis products used to manage a health condition.

O’Rourke was travelling through the Middle Eastern country on his way to South Africa in July when he was detained at the Dubai airport for having cannabis and CBD oil in his luggage.

He uses the products, both legal in Canada, to manage chronic pain caused by Addison’s disease, a rare condition affecting the adrenal glands that can lead to coma if left untreated.

The UAE considers cannabis a controlled narcotic and is prohibited without receiving prior approval to use.

Without naming him, Global Affairs Canada has said through a statement that it is aware of the detention and that consular officials are in touch with local authorities there and are providing consular assistance.

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His wife, Pamela O’Rourke, said her husband’s life is in danger because he is not getting proper access to medication that he uses to treat his condition.

An organization called Detained In Dubai, which assists those jailed in that country, has been chronicling his case and believes the outcome can be successful if the Canadian government continues to work on his behalf, as it has done for others who have been detained in the UAE.

An appeal hearing is scheduled for Dec. 25 and his family hopes the court will be reasonable and allow O’Rourke to return home.

 

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