A 25-year old American woman appeared in court Monday on misdemeanor charges for allegedly insulting the United Arab Emirates in public while waiting for a taxi at the Abu Dhabi International Airport.
The National, a government-owned newspaper in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, reported that the woman, who was not named, has been under arrest since Feb. 23. The newspaper says she told the Federal Supreme Court that she was waiting for a taxi at the airport when two men approached and spoke to her in a manner she did not like.
It quoted her as saying that she “refused to engage with them and nothing happened.” The report did not say if evidence was presented against her.
The National says she requested from the court to pay a fine and be released from jail. A verdict was set for May 2.
The U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi responded to an Associated Press query by stating that the embassy, “is aware of the case and is providing consular services.”
While liberal on some issues, the UAE has strict laws governing expression. Unlike in many Western countries, defamation is treated in the UAE as a criminal rather than a civil matter. Insulting the UAE’s leaders, or the country itself, can carry a prison sentence and steep fines.
In 2013, a 29-year-old U.S. citizen from Minnesota was tried under a cyber-crimes law and accused of defaming the country’s image abroad for posting a spoof video online about youth culture in the UAE. He spent nine months in prison before being deported and fined $2,700.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
How many more Americans are stupid enough to travel to the Middle East? These types of situations happen repeatedly. When will we learn?!!
You said it, Art. I have zero sympathy for idiots abroad. It is no secret what Muslems do to women and others.
Not until the George Bush followers stay home and quit messing in religion in the Middle East.
I think that is a stretch. The Bushes are past tense. like Obma will be. And with that being said, he has bankrupted this country. He has made bad connections in all Countries. Countries that welcomed the Bushed spit on him. As far as traveling to so many Countries that you know you are not wanted. They don’t have our laws, morals. It’s all been written down, it’s a book that some call a Bible.
Well put, my friend!!
We cannot change what happened in 2001. But we can get smarter today.
I know of all the places to go in the world these stupid people keep going and living in these Muslim nations I say stay the hell out of these places spend ur money where u have freedom of speech and our nation is getting just as bad afraid to offend the Muslims in any way,but we can still shoot niggas! Sad for those of u that don’t no we r the modern day Babylon! We will fall just like Rome!
This is so true, unfortunately.
Just another example of the incompetence of John Kerry. He should have immediately picked up the phone &traightened it out.
Until someone in this country demonstrates the will power, and guts to understand we are at war with a scourge upon the earth that begs to be gone forever , lets see the USA of ww11 vintage strap on some balls and clean this mess up once and for all ! , and any America that demonstrates the low IQ to go to these countries , I would suggest a brain transplant .