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Original poster

Women detained in Dubai ‘after glass of wine on plane’

260 replies

Aridane · 11/08/2018 13:50

Reading today’s Guardian and came across this.

Swedish dentist travelling with four year old daughter from London to Dubai had a glass of wine on the flight. Taken into custody as had an invalid visa and pending return to UK. Blood test then administered to test for alcohol. As a result of which apparently she and daughter detained for three days and made to clean toilets.

Released on bail, passport confiscated, remaining in Dubai pending hearing in a year.

Can’t do a link as reading a physical newspaper.

Anyone know any more about this? Is there more to it than a glass of wine on the flight and an invalid visa?

Just seems quite odd.

OP posts:
kaytee87 · 11/08/2018 14:09

Ok so she didn't have a valid visa then argued with immigration staff and tried to film them making them think she was possibly drunk which they then tested for?
I feel so sorry for her 4yo daughter but I think the woman's been an idiot and it's her own fault.

Whateverletmepost · 11/08/2018 14:10

After everything I've heard about tourists in Dubai, I would film an altercation with an official too...

DiegoMadonna · 11/08/2018 14:12

To be fair to PPs, the article I read says this:

Radha Stirling, chief executive of Detained in Dubai, said: "The UAE maintains a deliberately misleading facade that alcohol consumption is perfectly legal for visitors.

"Tourists cannot be blamed for believing that the Emirates are tolerant of Western drinking habits, but this is far from reality.

"It is wholly illegal for any tourist to have any level of alcohol in their blood, even if consumed in flight and provided by Dubai's own airline. It is illegal to consume alcohol at a bar, a hotel and a restaurant and if breathalysed, that person will be jailed."

Interested in this thread?

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zzzzz · 11/08/2018 14:12

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MsOliphant · 11/08/2018 14:12

She tried to film in a restricted area. That would likely land her in trouble in most places in the world.

ChardonnaysPrettySister · 11/08/2018 14:12

Can't pay me to go there.

diddl · 11/08/2018 14:12

"I think she was detained because she refused to leave the country when told that her visa was invalid."

Yup.

Read somewhere that it has cost her £30,000 in legal fees.

A couple of flights back would have been so much cheaper.

PaddyF0dder · 11/08/2018 14:12

Never holiday in primitive countries, and if you do then obey whatever stupid laws they have.

MsOliphant · 11/08/2018 14:13

They would have put her on a flight for free presumably as that tends to be what happens if they turn you around to go home due to failing immigration checks.

zzzzz · 11/08/2018 14:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CraftyGin · 11/08/2018 14:15

A couple of flights back would have been so much cheaper.

But she was tired and couldn’t face it Confused

dementedpixie · 11/08/2018 14:16

It says she will be detained there for a year while her case is settled!! Her dental practice has closed too

bengalcat · 11/08/2018 14:16

No one in their right mind would kick off to immigration

girlwithadragontattoo · 11/08/2018 14:16

I read this earlier. She actually became abusive and started filming inside the airport which is illegal, they then asked her if she'd had alcohol. She did it to herself. No one can be that dumb and not know the rules and how strict certain countries are and then start gobbing off because you don't have the correct documents

CraftyGin · 11/08/2018 14:17

It says she will be detained there for a year while her case is settled!! Her dental practice has closed too

One of the sheikhs has cleared her to go home, courtesy of the UAE government.

Slimmingsnake · 11/08/2018 14:18

She's been released

dementedpixie · 11/08/2018 14:19

This is what .Gov says:

Non-Muslim residents can get a liquor licence to drink alcohol at home and in licensed venues. These licences are valid only in the Emirate that issued the licence. Residents must also get a permit to be able to drink in licensed venues.

Liquor licences are not available to non-residents, but it is possible for tourists and visitors to buy and drink alcohol in licensed venues, such as hotels, restaurants and clubs. However, you should be aware that it is a punishable offence under UAE law to drink or be under the influence of alcohol in public. British nationals have been arrested and charged under this law, often in cases where they have come to the attention of the police for a related offence or matter, such as disorderly or offensive behaviour.

Generally, the legal age for drinking alcohol is 18 in Abu Dhabi, but a Ministry of Tourism by-law prevents hotels from serving alcohol to those under the age of 21. In Dubai and all other emirates besides Sharjah, the drinking age is 21. Drinking alcohol in Sharjah is illegal.

Passengers in transit through the UAE under the influence of alcohol may also be arrested

Original poster
Aridane · 11/08/2018 14:20

Read somewhere that it has cost her £30,000 in legal fees.

Apparently that was for legal fees and lost wages ... (who knows though)

OP posts:
ChardonnaysPrettySister · 11/08/2018 14:21

But the alcohol issues is not clear.

If it's illegal why did the airline serve it?

CoraMulberry · 11/08/2018 14:21

She’ll be on ‘This Morning’
Tuesday morning! Grin

MrsJayy · 11/08/2018 14:21

You can be arrested for being drunk/under the inlfluence in public in Dubai but they have licensed bars this woman caused a total hoha filming and arguing and then admiting to drinking alcohol No wonder she was arrested.

thelittlestwo · 11/08/2018 14:22

Oh ffs- she had an invalid visa, and she kicked off and tried to film in a restricted area, that's why she was detained!

kaytee87 · 11/08/2018 14:23

Honestly, she'd probably have been arrested in the U.K. for that.

CraftyGin · 11/08/2018 14:23

But the alcohol issues is not clear.

If it's illegal why did the airline serve it?

They want the tourism and business travellers, so banning alcohol completely would not be of benefit to their economy.

I imagine it’s fine as long as there is no public disorder, such as arguing with and filming an immigration officer.