The sister of a Kent dad-of-two being held in Dubai has described his “horrific” ordeal after he was allegedly “tortured” in custody.
Ryan Pepper, from Kennington, Ashford, has spent six months in a United Arab Emirates (UAE) prison.
Ryan Pepper, from Ashford, says he has been tortured in Dubai. Picture: Chloe Pepper
The 27-year-old moved to Dubai in May last year, hoping for a fresh start after a relationship breakdown.
But on returning from a trip to New York in November, he was arrested along with a group of other people and has been imprisoned since.
His sister Chloe Pepper, who does not know why her brother was detained, says he has had teeth pulled out and medication taken off him.
For months, she had no contact with her brother, and only knew he was alive and well when the British Embassy completed a welfare check in February.
Now, she has been allowed phone calls, and Ryan was able to get notes out of prison through others who had been released.
Ryan Pepper, from Ashford, with his sister Chloe. Picture: Chloe Pepper
Chloe told KentOnline: “He was in solitary confinement and didn’t see daylight for four-and-a-half months.
“He said everything that’s happened to him is inhumane. He’s had teeth pulled out and other torture methods.
“I think he’s missing four teeth.
“He didn’t really go into detail about anything else, and I’m quite grateful he didn’t, because I don’t really want to hear it.
Ryan Pepper, from Ashford, was arrested when arriving back in Dubai from New York. Picture: Chloe Pepper
“He just said what has happened was inhumane.”
One of the notes written by Ryan in his prison cell, addressed to his family, reads: “I have no crimes committed in this country.
“I am being unlawfully held, with no sign of court, judgment, or case updates.
“I can’t wait to see you. I miss you. Go to the news and get me out of this place ASAP.”
Ashford dad Ryan Pepper has been detained in Dubai. Picture: Chloe Pepper
Ryan, who was working in computing before his arrest, had been flying home to see his one-year-old and three-year-old children, but he has not seen them since August 2025.
Miss Pepper added: “It was one of the first questions he asked me – how are my children?
“I said they’re okay, we talk to them about you all the time.”
The 24-year-old says the impact on her family has been “horrific”.
“It ruined my marriage, because it felt like I lost my brother, and that was a lot of emotion,” she explained.
“Our mum got pretty physically ill. It’s been horrific.
“We don’t know why he’s in there – nobody’s told us.
“The British Embassy hasn’t even been told. If he’s done something, I get you pay for your crimes, but to be tortured, have your teeth pulled out – that’s wrong. That’s not fair.
“He has human rights for a reason.”
Ryan Pepper, from Ashford, with his two children. Picture: Chloe Pepper
Miss Pepper spoke to Ryan yesterday, and he told her officials from the British Embassy had arrived for a spontaneous visit to him in prison.
“No one knew they would come in. It was a complete surprise visit, so the Criminal Investigation Department and the UAE Ministry of Interior weren’t prepared for it,” she said.
“They all had a closed-door meeting, finally, and could clearly disclose what had happened to them.
“The embassy did say they’re going to try and open an investigation.”
Miss Pepper has also seen a photo of Ryan in a hospital bed, which the embassy was told was due to an infection in a surgical scar.
However, she does not believe this to be true, as he had the surgery in August 2025.
She added that she is being helped by the law firm Detained In Dubai in getting her brother home.
In a statement, a UK Foreign Office spokesman said: “We are supporting a British man who has been detained in the UAE.
“We are in contact with his family and continue to raise the case directly with the local authorities in the UAE.”
Detained In Dubai has been approached for comment.