Detention for freezing bank account and failing to pay workers

A Swedish friend went to the UAE for a job contract in January 2018. He was paid by the company and the payment went into an NY bank.

The NY bank insists that the client shows up to release his funds. He is being held in Dubai detention/jail because he can not pay the workers.

What can be done to help my friend? He has under USD 1000 hidden on him in custody. His NY account has over 800K.

I believe he needs legal help to pierce the contract with the bank. He has been detained on 3 or 4 occasions since February and continues to be detained and unable to get to NY to straighten on this dire situation.

I appreciate any time you can give to this problem.

Respectfully,

Wendy Chapman