Plane spotter's wife 'shocked' husband still being held in UAE - THREE WEEKS after arrest
THE wife of a British plane spotter being held in prison in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is "shocked" he is still being detained - almost THREE WEEKS after he was arrested.
Conrad Clitheroe, 53, and his friends Gary Cooper, 45, and expatriate Neil Munro were accused of breaching "national security" after reportedly taking notes near Fujairah Airport, about 80 miles from Dubai.
They were stopped by off-duty policeman and subsequently arrested.
The men, all keen plane spotters, deny any wrongdoing but have been moved to a higher security prison in Abu Dhabi.
Mr Clitheroe's wife Valerie said her husband has described conditions in the jail as "pretty grim."
She said: "It's locked down so they can't move around freely.
"They can go outside at certain times of the day and they can ring home three times week.
"It's just horrific. The whole thing is horrific. They just want to come. We want them home.
"We feel like we're banging our heads against a brick wall."
It's just horrific. The whole thing is horrific. They just want to come. We want them home
Mrs Clitheroe, from Stockport, Greater Manchester, said she has written to the Prime Minister's office appealing for him to intervene.
She has since received a reply to say officials were aware of the case.
Mrs Clitheroe added: "We're playing a waiting game. It will be 21 days [since the trio's arrest] on Sunday.
"I'm really shocked. What has shocked me most of all is that everyone in the right places knows about it but I don't know what they are doing.
"It's majorly frustrating. I don't think anyone can do anything. You literally have to wait to find out.
"I don't think the Foreign Office can do anything."
Following their arrests, the men were taken to a police station where they signed an Arabic document apologising and promising not to plane spot in the country again.
The practice is said to be legal in the UAE but not widely understood.
Members of public have raised more than £4,000 in online donations in order to help the three men with legal fees and travel expenses.
A Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) spokesperson: "We can confirm the arrest of a British national in Fujairah, UAE on 21 February.
"We are providing consular assistance at this time."