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The family of a young Christchurch golfer who died mysteriously while in police custody in Dubai have slammed the efforts of New Zealand officials there to uncover what happened.
Paul Mahoney has called the New Zealand Consulate-General's office in Dubai "hopeless" after his son, Aaron, 24, was killed when the police car he was travelling in crashed on January 10.
Aaron Mahoney had just started an international golfing course in Dubai and was reportedly arrested after becoming unruly at an apartment building.
Conflicting reports since then said he had attacked the police in the car before the crash, then that the officers involved had been charged with manslaughter.
Now, more than two months later, Paul Mahoney and his family are no closer to finding the truth about what happened to their son.
"Trying to get assistance from the New Zealand bureaucracy is hopeless," he said.
"I suppose [the Consul-General] is doing what he's allowed to do. I think they want us to forget all about it."
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said the Consul-General had been doing his best to provide information to the family.
"The consul has made regular contacts with Dubai authorities on the progress of the investigation and has kept the family fully informed of those inquiries," said spokesman Brad Tattersfield.
Mr Mahoney said his family were now trying to get answers "for our own sake".
His wife Sabina's uncle, a New York policeman, had been enlisted to help in the efforts to find the truth but it was unclear yet what he could do.
The Dubai justice system was a "dictatorship, really".
"They just do what they like and they'll tell you what they like. We have been aggressively trying to get some answers and just [the results] of a blood test would be great.
"We don't even know what [Aaron] was being charged with."
Reports said Aaron Mahoney had been out drinking before his arrest but his family were doubtful "because he hadn't spent any money".
"If Aaron was at fault, fine. It just doesn't stack up for us."
Mr Mahoney said he had heard a police officer injured in the crash had since died.
