By Giwa SHILE
Dubai authorities said it had deported a Swedish woman for taking pictures of an immigration officer during a row at the Dubai International Airport.
The Attorney General of Dubai, His Excellency, Esam Issa Al Humaidan, said in a statement availed in Lagos, that its Public Prosecution had completed investigations and closed the case involving the the woman who attempted to enter the UAE with an expired passport.
The Swedish national, Ellie Holman, 44, and daughter were allegedly reported by foreign media to have been detained in Dubai after drinking complimentary glass of wine on Emirates flight at Dubai International Airport on July 13.
They also accused the woman was equally denied water and forced to clean toilets – after she admitted to drinking a glass of wine on the incoming Emirates flight from London.
Al Humaidan said the incident started with the arrival of the accused with her daughter from London Gatwick Airport on board an Emirates flight.
The attorney said that the woman from Kent, England, attempted to enter the country using a Swedish passport, which had already expired on June 10, 2018.
“She was advised by the immigration officers that she could not enter the country with an expired passport.
“She then produced an Iranian passport, and was informed by the officer that she could enter the country by issuing a new temporary visa, which allowed a 96-hour stay, and had to change her departure flight according to the new visa.
“Ms. Hollman refused angrily due to the additional payment of fees the process required, and proceeded to verbally insult the immigration officer and take photos of the officer via her phone,’’ the attorney said in the statement.
Al Humaidan said a legal claim was issued against Ms. Holman with charges of profanity and photographing a government official at the border crossing, a restricted area.
According to him, the woman and her child remained together in the airport security office for less than 24 hours, while services were provided to them, taking into full account and consideration of her four-year-old daughter.
“Her father received her immediately upon his arrival and they subsequently departed the country. The prosecution decided to drop the charges against Ellie Hollman and to deport her instead,’’ the attorney added.
