Arrested in Abu Dhabi for exposing a disabled park thief?

[houseism]

Arrg.. was looking forward to stopping over in Dubai for warmer weather

 

[Denali]

Arrg.. was looking forward to stopping over in Dubai for warmer weather

Im going to Darwin, where it never goes below 30. Not so sure about swimming yet but my plan is to swim faster than the other swimmers.

 

[drron]

Im going to Darwin, where it never goes below 30. Not so sure about swimming yet but my plan is to swim faster than the other swimmers.

Being out in front is no defence against a shark or crocodile.
Much safer being in the pack.At least increases the chance of being left.

 

[moa999]

Bishop on 7News stating that consular assistance has been provided, the woman has paid a fine and its currently in detention awaiting deportation (ABCNews)

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Bishop on 7News stating that consular assistance has been provided, the woman has paid a fine and its currently in detention awaiting deportation (ABCNews)

Makes you wonder. Deportation for posting a photo of a law breaker (assuming it's against the law for an able bodied person to park in not one, but two disabled car spaces). Sometimes I wonder about middle eastern priorities.

 

[mannej]

HK, Bangkok, SFO (via the revived QF service) all sound much more fun, and you can have fun as well.

Bangkok? Just don't insult or threaten the monarchy then...

 

[Buzzard]

I did mention quite some time ago my reservations about travelling via the Emirates. That said, Aussies (or whoever) need to remember that you can not necessarily behave in another country the way you can at home and get away with it.

 

[moa999]

And equally you can't behave in Australia like you can in many foreign countries

 

[asg29e]

I guess the moral of the story is watch you say and print in countries where freedom of speech is frowned upon.

There's not a hellavalot new in this story. Arbitrary detention by the local authorities etc etc etc. Can and does happen in any of the Emirates.

Its not even new that the Australian concerned is whinging about the Australian consular officials 'not doing enough' .

Ah yes... free speech. A wonderful thing.
Here is the same woman in her classy "F#*k Tony Abbott" tee shirt. Multiple levels of irony here.

 

[Revolio]

Always had the impression there was more to this. Also have the feeling being simply deported and not charged with a crime is vitally important. Her story sold to the media (tv and print.....headlines have probably been written already) would be a nice six or seven figure earner when back on Oz soil. Will now get the attention her t-shirts and social media posts were craving.

 

[Ausbt]

And equally you can't behave in Australia like you can in many foreign countries

Unless you are a middle-eastern diplomat that is

Saudi Arabia diplomats rack up the most unpaid traffic fines

Diplomats rack up thousands of dollars in unpaid parking and speeding fines

 

[Sprucegoose]

Can't wait for SYD-LHR NON STOP

 

[JohnK]

Sad.

One of these days I am going to get the courage to transit the Middle East. Keep putting it off. Not missing much.

 

[boomy]

Sad.

One of these days I am going to get the courage to transit the Middle East. Keep putting it off. Not missing much.

Transit is fine, as long as you don't leave the airport nothing bad will happen to you. Enjoy the fancy lounges for a couple of hours and move on to the next destination

 

[meloz]

Transit is fine, as long as you don't leave the airport nothing bad will happen to you. Enjoy the fancy lounges for a couple of hours and move on to the next destination

Or stay home full stop. Then the boogie man can't get you at all.

Seriously you all sound like your parents told you Keyser Söze lives in the Middle East.

 

[Renato1]

To be honest this just adds to me not wanting to visit the Emirates.

On our last trip back from Europe two years ago, my wife and I stopped over for four days and loved Dubai. So much so that we're doing the same thing this year. However, I did follow my brother's advice which was to stay near Baniyas Square - in order to get a more local experience where the shopping strips are, rather than a resort and mall experience.
Regards,
Renato

 

[ALH]

I've had some wonderful trips to the UAE & Oman over the last 16 years, and made some wonderful life long friends. However, as I've watched Dubai grow, I'm less likely to stopover now. Plenty of other places to see. Have been a guest in Doha and enjoyed truly generous hospitality and experiences that the average traveller would not find. You really need to be aware of the difference in culture and local laws. You won't like everything or everyone you meet, but that's what travel is all about. No need to be too frightened to go. I've had more frightening experiences in Italy and Spain than I've had in the Middle East.

 

[ksthommo]

There's been no more reports in the media about 5 members of one family killed
in a car crash in Abu Dhabi. Suspected the driver of the other vehicle who caused
the crash has connections. Shocking how the so called elite get away with this.

Mystery over deaths of Australian family of five in Abu Dhabi

 

[RooFlyer]

Transit is fine, as long as you don't leave the airport nothing bad will happen to you. Enjoy the fancy lounges for a couple of hours and move on to the next destination

Actually, no. A guy was detained or arrested (can't find the article now, sorry) for a t-shirt that had racy outlines of people on it, while in transit at DXB (IIRC).

I see the woman in question this time has got her just desserts according to (Emirati) law. As she was apparently living there for a couple of years, its 'puzzling' that she didn't understand that you can't offend anyone there , without consequences, let alone plastering something on social media.

 

[boomy]

Or stay home full stop. Then the boogie man can't get you at all.

Seriously you all sound like your parents told you Keyser Söze lives in the Middle East.

I hope even the Keyser would agree that woman was treated unfairly

Seriously now, I lived in the ME for a while and accept that it's their countries, their rules, take it or leave it.

Personally, I prefer to enjoy their airlines and wonderful hospitality onboard premium cabins and on the ground in the lounges while I'm connecting to a more civilised part of the world where I can do whatever whenever without the fear of being arrested.