Australian Woman Jailed Over A Facebook Post In UAE

After being found guilty of “writing bad words” on Facebook, a 39 year old West Australian woman has been jailed in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. This year in the February, Jodi Magi uploaded a photo of car being parked in her apartment across two disabled parking spaces and that too without disability stickers.

Ms. Magi has been in Abu Dhabi since 2012. Although she hadn’t provided any details of the car, yet drew attention to the act by writing about it on Facebook. As a result, someone in her apartment complained to police and in June she finally landed in Abu Dhabi court to face charges over her post.

ABC reported that Ms. Magi was forcibly made to sign many documents in Arabic language without any translation being provided to her. In the early weeks of July, she got her news of arrest and was apparently told that she would be deported. Shocked and horrified Ms. Magi failed to gather a clue for being thrown behind bars. On being asked by ABC, she condemned the court’s decision and insisted on not doing anything that was illegal.

The Guardian reported that she was still unsure of the outcome because she hasn’t been reported about the events transpiring. "I have zero idea. I used the internet," she said. She told ABC radio that she had been detained for hours and was going to get locked up with men before they turned her away.

Ms. Magi tried paying the fine of AU$ 4852.41 and leave the country but was stopped by the authorities where she was warned of being jailed. As suspected, she was put behind bars when she went to pay the fine. According ABC news, she has spent last night in jail and has no clue of her release.

She criticised the Australian embassy for not helping her out at this moment of crisis and accused the government of being interested only in generating business. ABC has tried to contact the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) so as to know whether it has made plans to represent Ms. Magi so as to get her out of imprisonment. However, DFAT has refused to comment and provide further information.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop confirmed of providing her with "consular support" and expects Ms. Magi to be deported soon.

Contact the writer on priya.shayani@gmail.com.