The wife of a Cobourg native imprisoned in the United Arab Emirates is pleading with the Canadian government to intervene after her husband moved one step closer to being extradited to South Sudan.
Forty-three-year-old Virginia O’Grady is in Canada advocating for her husband, 47-year-old Ryan O’Grady, who was born and raised in Cobourg. The former international banker has been held in the United Arab Emirates since Nov. 18, 2025.
Global Affairs Canada has previously described O’Grady’s case as involving “financial allegations that are the subject of legal proceedings.”
Since his arrest, O’Grady has maintained that he fears for his life if extradited to South Sudan.
On Tuesday, July 21, 2026, he was informed he would be transferred to the Interpol section of Al Awir Central Prison, a move that could lead to his extradition to South Sudan at any time.
O’Grady grew up in Cobourg, where his father, Joe O’Grady, owned O’Grady’s Butcher Shop in the town’s west-end plaza for many years. During his banking career, Ryan O’Grady worked around the world before settling in Dubai in 2023, where he met his wife, Virginia.
“The UAE has approved him to be extradited to South Sudan,” Virginia O’Grady said.
“I’m not here to ask that Ryan should be placed above the law. I’m here to ask for the protection of his basic human rights.”
She said Amnesty International has documented arbitrary detention, unfair trials, torture and other human rights concerns in South Sudan, arguing that her husband faces a serious risk if extradited.
“For nearly two years my family and I have lived in uncertainty surrounding this extradition,” she said.
“Ryan is a husband, he’s a dad and he’s a Canadian citizen.
“Canada has always stood for justice, fairness and the protection of human rights. Today I’m asking my husband’s government, the Canadian government, to uphold those values and to do everything in their power to protect one of their own.”
Virginia O’Grady and her husband are encouraging Canadians to sign a petition calling on the federal government to act.
“By signing the petition, it’s not about deciding the case,” she said. “It’s about getting Canada to act — to protect the rights of its own citizen and to help ensure he’s not sent to face a real risk of human rights violations.”
Ryan O’Grady has consistently maintained that the allegations against him are politically motivated and stem from his efforts to expose alleged multimillion-dollar corruption schemes while serving as chief executive officer of Kush Bank in South Sudan.
In an audio recording from Al Awir Central Prison released Tuesday, O’Grady made a direct appeal to the Canadian government.
“I am requesting the Canadian government to take any and all action to stop the extradition,” he said.
“I have been informed that in the coming hours I will be transferred into Interpol custody, facilitating my extradition to South Sudan.
“It’s been well documented that I will face torture and probable death.”
O’Grady said his legal counsel advised him of alleged corruption surrounding both the UAE judicial proceedings and the South Sudan legal system, as well as the risks he faces if extradited.
He also expressed concern about conditions in the Interpol holding area, saying he would be housed alongside Somali and Sudanese gang members. O’Grady said he informed the Canadian Embassy that a person was reportedly killed in the Interpol holding area last month and urged Canada to issue what he described as an urgent diplomatic note to the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs in an effort to halt his transfer.
O’Grady also said he has experienced breathing problems and suffered a collapsed lung during his detention.
“I thank everyone for their efforts. I wish them all the best and I hope that we can communicate soon,” he said.
Northumberland—Clarke MP Philip Lawrence said he has remained in contact with both Global Affairs Canada and the O’Grady family.
“My thoughts are with Ryan’s family during what is undoubtedly a very distressing time,” Lawrence said.
“I have been in touch with Global Affairs Canada and they have kept me and my team informed on the status of Ryan’s case. I have also been in touch with the O’Gradys, and thank them for keeping me updated on what they have been hearing as well.
“This is a deeply upsetting situation full of uncertainty, and I know that all those involved have done their best to ensure that justice prevails for Ryan.”
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Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
