The recent one-year imprisonment of a New York student, Elizabeth Polanco De Los Santos, in Dubai for a seemingly trivial incident serves as a stark warning to holidaymakers considering a

visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Radha Stirling, the founder of the Detained in Dubai pressure group, has emphasized that Dubai can transform a dream vacation into a nightmare due to its strict laws and the potential for false allegations and extortion.

Stirling has raised concerns about the vulnerability of tourists to various forms of legal trouble in Dubai, including false and unsupported accusations that can lead to prolonged imprisonment. She points out that visitors can fall victim to extortion schemes perpetrated by airport staff, rental car agents, taxi drivers, and others.

Dubai, known for its opulence and glamor, has recently faced scrutiny for its legal system's harshness. Incidents like De Los Santos's case, where she was accused of "assaulting and insulting" a security guard during a strip search at the airport, highlight the potential risks visitors face. De Los Santos, a student, reached out to a security guard for assistance when she had difficulty repositioning a medical corset after an operation. Despite her denial of the allegations, she was sentenced to a year in jail.

Stirling has been advocating for De Los Santos's release and has drawn attention to similar cases involving tourists. The potential consequences of seemingly minor infractions, such as public outbursts or social media posts, have resulted in legal action, fines, and imprisonment in Dubai.

The Detained in Dubai group has assisted numerous British tourists who have encountered legal troubles in Dubai, including cases involving cybercrime accusations, physical contact in a bar, charity fundraising, financial disputes, and bounced checks. Stirling emphasizes that in Dubai, allegations alone can lead to convictions, even in the absence of substantial evidence, and complainants may use allegations to secure significant settlements.

Tourists from the UK and the US are advised to exercise caution and consider the potential risks associated with visiting Dubai. Stirling suggests that Dubai needs to address these legal challenges and work to ensure a safer environment for tourists, where mere allegations do not lead to lengthy imprisonment. Photo by Wikimedia commons.