Planespotters arrested in UAE to be released
Three British planespotters who have been held in prison in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for eight weeks accused of espionage are being released without charge, a lawyer has said.
Conrad Clitheroe (aged 53) and his friends Gary Cooper (aged 45) and expatriate Neil Munro
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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, before they were moved to a higher security prison.
Radha Stirling, the founder of the charity Detained in Dubai - which intervened in the case, said charges of espionage against the trio had finally been dropped at the Supreme Court in Abu Dhabi.
The men are set to be released later today, she said.
"The charges are being dropped with no fines or penalties. They've had a long time to wait to be told: 'Your case is ridiculous'," said Ms Stirling.
She added that the men were "traumatised" by their ordeal and she had spoken to Mr Clitheroe's wife Valerie following news of their release.
"She's so relieved and so happy," the lawyer said.
Before her husband's release, Mrs Clitheroe, from Stockport, Greater Manchester, said she had written to the British Prime Minister's office appealing for him to intervene in the case.
Plane spotting is legal in the UAE, but not widely understood.
The British Foreign Office was unable to confirm that the charges against the men had been dropped.
