British PM intervenes in 'kidnap' case

14 Aug 2012, 4:05 am   -   Source: AAP

The British prime minister has promised to help a 12-year-old boy whose family allegedly took and kept him in Qatar under false pretences.

British Prime Minister David Cameron has intervened personally to help a 12-year-old boy who wrote him a letter last year pleading for help after his family allegedly took and kept him in Qatar under false pretences.

Adam Jones claimed he was "kidnapped" by his uncle after he visited Qatar with his mother, Rebecca Jones, in October 2009.

On the Bring Adam Home campaign website, Jones describes how members of Adam's late father's family made her sign documents, written in Arabic, that she could not read. The documents apparently allowed them to begin custody proceedings against her, and they then took her son.

In Adam's handwritten letter, dated May 25, 2011, he tells Cameron he is not allowed out and is being abused by his uncle's sons.

He said his mother is allowed to visit but they are "not allowed to laugh or use the kitchen to get a drink".

Part of the letter, which begins "Dear Prime Minister, PLEASE HELP ME", read: "I was kidnapped by my uncle. I miss my family and friends. My life very bad and not fun because of him."

He went on: "I am most terrified of my uncle Fahad, I have been kicked and punched by his kids and shouted. Plus I can't call my mom. I am terrified and scared please please help me."

Downing Street on Monday confirmed the prime minister has raised the case with his Qatari counterpart.

The campaign website also shows a letter written to Adam from Downing Street dated July 12, 2011, partly handwritten and signed by Cameron.

It read: "I was very sorry to read that you are so unhappy. I can see how difficult things are for you. I know it must be very hard to be separated from your mum and your family and friends.

"I want you to know that I am worried about you. I have spoken to the Prime Minister of Qatar about your situation and I will make sure that we continue to do what we can to help you and your family."

He added, in his own handwriting: "I will keep trying on this - Yours, David."

Jones and her son live in Bahrain and both are UK passport holders.

Adam's Qatari father died in 2005. He and Jones had already separated but maintained good relations until his death.

Adam's mother decided to keep up those relations with her ex-husband's family for her son's sake.

But on a visit to Qatar so Adam could see his frail grandmother, Jones said she was tricked and Adam was taken by his uncle.

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