Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai has written a letter to Dubai’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum, enclosing a heart breaking plea from Russian businesswoman Bika Magomedova.
Bika is suffering with cancer and needs a life saving hysterectomy, which she doesn’t have enough money to pay for in Dubai. Bika could get the operation done in Russia, but the Dubai authorities refuse to allow her to leave.
As previously reported, Bika fell victim to the mismanagement and greed of Dubai Properties LLC, and lost everything she owned. Bika had successfully run a salon for 17 years and was trying to open a bakery in an upmarket area of Dubai called JBR.
A string of unexpected extra costs were levied by Dubai Properties and their subsidiary Salwan LLC, caused Bika to lose her life savings and business, and forced her into getting a loan against the business. She was not allowed to open, even for one day before Salwan cancelled her lease.
The stress had a devastating impact on her health and the episode left her in debt. She survives on tiny amounts of money doing freelance nails for women she knows, and has no chance of ever paying back the loan of around $30,000. Under Dubai debt law, this means she can never leave the country.
Radha Stirling has written appealing to Dubai’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed, to show some compassion and allow Bika to return to Russia for her surgery before it is too late.
Bika’s only hope of living is if the Sheikh, who promotes himself as a champion for women’s rights, uses his power to allow her to leave the country.
“This is a chance for Sheikh Mohammed to show the world his more compassionate side, as he has in other cases of injustice, like Jamie Harron,” explains Radha Stirling. “He can save Bika’s life with a phone call if he decides to do so”.
“Nothing can be gained by allowing this young woman to die. She is in debt through no fault of her own and has no chance of finding enough money to pay before she dies.
“Dubai promotes itself as a safe and desirable hub for both tourism and business, and even if a human being’s life is not motivation enough on its own to make that call, the reputation of the country is also at stake.
“Please act quickly, and give Bika a chance to live.”