Woman arrested and jailed in Abu Dhabi for Facebook Post

[Al Bhatti]

1. she did not name anyone... she blacked out the offender's number plate in the photo.

2. she was pointing to a offense and doing the right thing... did the offender think about others before parking his car haphazardly??

She said someone parked in a place they were not supposed to.....

Yes agree, but as i stated in my earlier post (see below): she should have contacted the relevant authorities and they would have taken the necessary action against the car owner

But what made her good thing bad was the use of the bad words which is punishable by law and the news also states she used bad words and hence she being in trouble.

As per the news: She herself says she is dumb. She was arrested for using bad words which as per UAE law is punishable and everyone knows it.

Secondly, she should have reported the parking issue to the relevant authorities and they definitely then would have taken action.

she was pointing to someone doing a unkind thing and the offender was going against the building's rules... the foolish court took action against her for doing the right thing... she is australian and the australian embassy did not help her... she is being victimized for doing the right thing.

As for as being victimized please read below:

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July 14, 2015

Australian Abu Dhabi resident arrested for Facebook comment
Australian government tells its citizens UAE laws will apply to them

Abu Dhabi resident, Australian Jodi Magi, has been arrested and referred to court for violating the UAE’s cyber laws, officials have confirmed on Tuesday.

Magi, who moved to Abu Dhabi in 2012, had reportedly taken a picture of a vehicle parked across two parking spots reserved for the disabled, before posting the image on her personal Facebook page and adding “bad words about a person”, according to several Australian news sources.

The 39-year-old teaches graphic design to Emirati women and ran an art website, a blog and multiple social media accounts.

Abu Dhabi Police have confirmed that Magi’s case is being handled at the lower instance courts in the capital.

A statement by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said: “Since 25 May, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has been providing consular assistance to an Australian woman, Ms Jodi Magi, in the United Arab Emirates after she was sentenced for a cyber crimes offence. Consular officials have provided all appropriate consular assistance to Ms Magi, in line with the Consular Services Charter, and have kept in close touch with Ms Magi, her husband and her lawyer. On 12 July, Ms Magi presented herself to a court in Abu Dhabi to pay a court-ordered fine and was taken into custody pending deportation to Australia. This is normal practice in Abu Dhabi.”

The DFAT also added that consular officials are pushing for Magi’s deportation. “The Australian Government’s travel advice for the UAE warns that local laws that appear harsh by Australian standards nevertheless apply to Australian travellers or residents,” the statement added.

According to Al Tamimi and Co law firm, the Morality and Proper Conduct section of the UAE’s Federal Law No 5 of 2012, also known as the Cyber Law, says that individuals can be prosecuted for making statements that are disrespectful towards Islam, morals and good conduct.

These include posting comments or images that ‘encourage sin’, slander another person or breach the privacy of individuals — including taking photographs or publishing information about another without their permission.

Legal experts have advised residents to contact authorities with any documented illegal activity they may spot, such as wrongful parking or child endangerment, and to refrain from posting the images or videos on social media.

In 2012, an American living in the UAE was sent to a maximum security facility for posting a satirical video about Dubai’s youth culture.

Australian Abu Dhabi resident arrested for Facebook comment | GulfNews.com




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The law is even implemented on nationals


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May 13, 2015

All visitors, residents respected: Dubai Police
Dubai Police reacts to video circulating on social media

Major-General Khalil Ibrahim Al-Mansouri, Assistant Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police for Criminal Investigation, has reiterated that all visitors, tourists and residents of Dubai are respected and well treated, reported ‘Al Bayan’.

Maj-Gen Al Mansouri was reacting to a video circulating on social media wherein a woman is seen talking rudely to Egyptian actresses Abeer Sabry and Tunisian actress Faryal Yousef. The video shows the woman in a mall criticizing the two actresses for their dress, saying they shouldn’t be wearing such indecent clothes here.

Maj-Gen Al Mansouri did not confirm the identity of the woman, but said she was infringing on the privacy of the actresses and her behaviour is not in accordance with the culture of the UAE. He said the UAE respects all nationalities and people and offers them a pleasant stay in the country.

He pointed out that legal action will be taken against this woman who gave a bad and incorrect impression about UAE society.

Maj-Gen Al Mansouri said action will be taken against the woman though the police has not yet received any formal complaints from artists. He added that Dubai Police will review cameras in the mall after contacting the actresses.

Maj-Gen Al Mansouri said UAE laws prevent filming, taking pictures of anyone without their permission and publishing videos. The woman’s behaviour is improper and can be tried for libel.

He confirmed that the video is an individual’s act and does not in any way reflect on the UAE laws or culture. The UAE allows everyone to move freely and endeavours to make peoples stay happily in the country.

Maj-Gen Al Mansouri added the two artists in the video were wearing casual clothes, which are normal and decent.

The Egyptian actress Abeer Sabry told ‘Al Bayan’ that she likes to visit UAE and she is fond of Dubai. She said, “What happened in the mall was really very weird where the woman criticized me in a very harsh manner, when I was dressed in normal clothes.”

Sabry said, “It’s not the first time that I am visiting the UAE and Dubai in particular. This is a beautiful city and very upscale and I have not encountered any obstacles before. Two days ago, I was with a girl friend at a boutique in at shopping mall in Dubai, when I was surprised as this woman approached me and began talking inappropriately. There were about six of them with her. One of them claimed I am wearing indecent clothes and I should respect the UAE.”

Sabry said, “She continued to scream forcing me to react inappropriately. But, I kept my head on my nerves and made payments for the stuff I purchased and left the place quickly, while she continued threatening me.”

Sabry is in Dubai to film for a television programme for Ramadan.

She confirmed that she will complain against the woman to Dubai Police, especially after the video has begun circulating on social media.

All visitors, residents respected: Dubai Police - Emirates 24|7

-------------------------------

In the end the lady was summoned to the Police Station and made to sign an undertaking not to repeat it again, and the actress also gave up her rights to take legal action against her and the person who filmed the conversation.

And if she finds anything wrong she should take it with the authorities as per the law.

she would presume that since she is doing good, her efforts will be utilized... but they seem to be idiots, harassing her for doing what a honest person should be doing.

Honest person, Yes, what would you do if someone posted bad words and swearing with a photo relating to something you did?

You can always point towards a negative thing in a better way.

Lesson learned: Whenever in Abu Dhabi (or any Arab countries) as foreigner, never say/write anything negative to local people (but free to do it when you'd be back to home country).

There are even instances where both sides are foreigners and fines and punishments are issued.

 

[Menace2Society]

This is very scary. No point having "consular access" when you are in jail, your life is already pretty much ruined for going jail in the first place for a facebook post.

 

[salarsikander]

Mind ur

mind ur words UAE has on its laws no one allowed to use bad words for anyone if prooven than jail is ur destination there is. Line between freedom of speech anx insulting others why dont u blame west when they become raciest and bzn hijab than ur tongue dont talk laws in uae very strict either u follow or u get out

Hi,

Why, did I say anything which contradicts from facts ? Buthhurt are we?

Listen flagless brat, How much do you know about me ?
Have you ever seen my posts? before judging me with your tiny brain. you're more than welcome to see my posts on western issues.

Secondly, Its not to do with medieval laws Arabs have, its to do with how the case was handled. With no access to legal support nor any appeal system and forcing one to sign the letter and documents which were in Arabic, she was even forced to stay even though she was paying fine.

This is not the first time how the cases have been mishandled, I'm absolutely perfectly fine with medieval kind of laws they have, it is their country, they have the right to put it, which actually also reflects the local mentality, but the way she was forced into it, is absolutely wrong!

 

[Koovie]

Nobody has to change to benefit you, you either stay there or go somewhere that benefits you.

Also, Muslims (or anyone who migrate) don't go to Western countries for freedom but for a better pay or education. And even if I follow your quote, why did she go to Abu Dhabi, definitely not for the "freedom", maybe she likes being in a strict country and Western country wasn't as strict as Abu Dhabi (yes, it sounds stupid, because I used your logic)

So, Abu Dhabi has to change their rules to of legalizing incest and bestiality, to be more like "those countries"?

You Western "wannabes" are pathetic, they would make fun of you for trying to be like them.

Guess why the countries with more economic and social freedom are the ones with better living standards and education...

 

[Kambojaric]

I saw some pretty stupid things in Abu Dhabi myself when I was there last year. However my understanding was that it is a society where you mind your own business. Dont interfere in others matters especially if the other individual is an Arab and you are an expat.

 

[Al Bhatti]

Below in red is the timeline of the case from start to end with details: Both parties were foreigners.

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July 15, 2015

Deported Australian woman ‘insulted’ UAE car owner

Judicial Department officials have responded to media reports concerning an Australian woman who was briefly detained and then deported after being convicted of a cybercrime.

Jodi Magi was held on Sunday and deported on Tuesday after posting an online picture of a car parked across two disabled spaces outside her flat in February.

The case has attracted worldwide press attention after the 39-year-old complained of being traumatised by the “extreme reaction to a jpg of a car posted to a closed Facebook page”.

Magi told media she had obscured the car’s number plate in the photo.

A judicial source has since provided The National with a timeline of events surrounding the case.

The source said on February 24 a European woman complained to police that Magi and her husband had uploaded a picture of her parked car, along with “insulting and degrading words”.

“These included ‘crazy’ and a slang term for the male sexual organ,” said the judicial source.

Magi’s husband was questioned by police on March 3 and said that his wife had posted the picture, but denied she had written the insulting words.

Five days later, Magi was questioned and echoed her husband’s statement. She was charged and released on bail. On March 22, the Attorney General’s office questioned the complainant and asked for a police report to determine whether Magi had posted both the pictures and the words, said the judicial source.

A report submitted two days later said Magi had posted both the words and the pictures.

When Magi failed to appear at a court hearing on April 29, she was convicted in absentia and fined Dh10,000 to be followed by deportation.

On May 21, Magi appeared in court, accompanied by a lawyer and translator, and appealed against the verdict. The appeal was rejected on June 24.

Magi appeared in an Abu Dhabi court on Sunday to pay the fine and was taken into custody pending deportation to Australia.

The next day, she was transferred to the Central Prison, otherwise known as Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi’s biggest jail, and was deported at 7pm on Tuesday, on a flight to Bangkok, “a destination of her own choice”, said the source.

Senior Abu Dhabi prosecutor Mohammed Al Dhanhani said the actions committed by Magi fell foul of the 2012 Federal Anti-Information Technology Crimes Law No 5.

“She captured the picture without the consent of the (car’s) owner. She then published the pictures on the web and added insulting phrases.”

Each of these three actions is subject to prosecution under the law, which punishes all violators with a fine and/or jail, and deportation for all expatriates without exceptions, he said.

Deported Australian woman ‘insulted’ UAE car owner | The National

 

[Super Falcon]

I saw some pretty stupid things in Abu Dhabi myself when I was there last year. However my understanding was that it is a society where you mind your own business. Dont interfere in others matters especially if the other individual is an Arab and you are an expat.

What is bad in it why u intefear in others personal life first of all without his permission and then u post them on facebook and insult them i think law did best to stop any future miss haps i fully support it no one has permission in even islam to insult anyone how would u have felt if this woman posted ur pic on net and ur family saw it in pak what they have thought of it with bad words they thought have in relation with woman etc so brother there are too much prob can be caused by this is no west we use our rules we support them

 

[Hyperion]

Most Arficans and Arabs have that in common...... you must've some basic understanding of psychology?

Arabs are so concerned about their privacy but in their society personal space means nothing. People interacting with you will want to stand like 1 foot away which is uncomfortable for a lot of other societies.

 

[Super Falcon]

This is very scary. No point having "consular access" when you are in jail, your life is already pretty much ruined for going jail in the first place for a facebook post.

It is not about a post today single post can ruin u imagine if i post ur pic naked and use ur face onle how other feel about u u cant explain every one in detail 100 of them some might listen some might not dear im just giving example dont take it secret muslim world has its own laws as west use all laws against islam no azan in west u listen why hijab is ban why u cant cover ur hairs all these rubbish western laws no one talk about them but one woman from west comes and ruins and insults other persons on fb which is a community itself if law act what is issue

Hi,

Why, did I say anything which contradicts from facts ? Buthhurt are we?

Listen flagless brat, How much do you know about me ?
Have you ever seen my posts? before judging me with your tiny brain. you're more than welcome to see my posts on western issues.

Secondly, Its not to do with medieval laws Arabs have, its to do with how the case was handled. With no access to legal support nor any appeal system and forcing one to sign the letter and documents which were in Arabic, she was even forced to stay even though she was paying fine.

This is not the first time how the cases have been mishandled, I'm absolutely perfectly fine with medieval kind of laws they have, it is their country, they have the right to put it, which actually also reflects the local mentality, but the way she was forced into it, is

My single post made u fire ball just imagine whom pic she has posted with insulting words what he or she had been abd before asking me see ur own mind which u dont even have it i even have tine to put u against ur own words

 

[salarsikander]

Have two words go to helll and keep ur posts in ur self and keep ur dustance from me i feel disgrace to even see ur posts and reply to u western puppet

Hi,
Post reported for Name calling.

Learn to spell first and to use punctuation marks. It seems like i am talking to a 10 year old kid.

And for the record, you opened your big mouth. Not me .

Western???? are you dumb or what ?
Tell me, how many of my posts have you read to judge me ?
stop judging people moron !

 

[Super Falcon]

Hi,
Post reported for Name calling.

Learn to spell first and to use punctuation marks. It seems like i am talking to a 10 year old kid.

And for the record, you opened your big mouth. Not me .

Western???? are you dumb or what ?
Tell me, how many of my posts have you read to judge me ?
stop judging people moron !

Keeep saying what u say u started all messs and got reply if u dont like my post stop being dumb and use some sdene which i know u dont have keep replying as much as u reply i know it hurts u that much which i dont want to talk such pathetic people like u so if u just be on topic be fine and dont reply

 

[VCheng]

“She captured the picture without the consent of the (car’s) owner. She then published the pictures on the web and added insulting phrases.”

Each of these three actions is subject to prosecution under the law, which punishes all violators with a fine and/or jail, and deportation for all expatriates without exceptions, he said.

Did the car owner get a ticket for parking like a prick, as the woman showed in the photo?

 

[jamahir]

“She captured the picture without the consent of the (car’s) owner. She then published the pictures on the web and added insulting phrases.”

while the australian lady should not have swear words, it is ridiculous to assume that she should have asked permission from the offending car owner.

It is not about a post today single post can ruin u imagine if i post ur pic naked and use ur face onle how other feel about u u cant explain every one in detail 100 of them some might listen some might not dear im just giving example dont take it secret muslim world has its own laws as west use all laws against islam no azan in west u listen why hijab is ban why u cant cover ur hairs all these rubbish western laws no one talk about them but one woman from west comes and ruins and insults other persons on fb which is a community itself if law act what is issue

please calm down... don't get obsessed with hijab and naked pictures like a tableeghi.

 

[Providence]

Most Arficans and Arabs have that in common...... you must've some basic understanding of psychology?

LOL. No ! But i have worked in cross cultural settings a lot in my corporate roles. So I had to imbibe those sensitivities in me. Had no other choice.

Eg moving to britain I had to cope with their dry sense of humour and also take in stride the pride they take in calling themselves pragmatic and not interpret it as being ostentatious or alluding to the class structure in society etc.

Also there's something called polychronic societies like say Pak/India/SL etc where they don't stick to time because of their interpretation of time. You need to motivate them differently to stick to time as compared to say germans who are monochronic societies who are very adherent to time.

 

[VCheng]

polychronic

You mean achronic?