How to avoid being jailed abroad
April 9, 2019
Image copyright Alamy The case of the British woman facing jail in Dubai for calling her ex-husband’s new wife a “horse” on Facebook is a stark reminder of the rules that can apply when you’re abroad.
Londoner Laleh Shahravesh, 55, was arrested at a Dubai airport after flying there to attend her former husband’s funeral.
She faces prosecution over two Facebook comments she posted on pictures of her husband remarrying in 2016.
This case might be on the extreme end, but it’s worth knowing the local laws and customs before travelling.
In the past the government’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office have encouraged people to do proper research.
It said celebrity holiday snaps are inspiring us to take trips further afield where there are often unusual rules in place.
Here are our top tips for staying safe.
Don’t step on money in Thailand
Image copyright Getty Images The lese-majeste law is a very old rule which states that it’s a serious offence to insult any image of the Thai royal family.
As the ruling monarch appears on the banknotes, it’s actually a criminal act to step on it and you could end up in jail.
No chewing gum
Image copyright Alamy Equally offensive in Thailand is throwing gum on the floor.
There’s a £400 fine or possibly jail if you don’t pay up.
It’s a similar story in Singapore where, by law, chewing gum – all except the dental and nicotine kind – can’t be bought or sold.
No swimming costumes in the city
Image copyright Getty Images In Barcelona, it was made illegal to wear swimwear anywhere in public away from the beach in 2011.
It was after local people campaigned that there were too many scantily-clad tourists walking around the city.
You could see yourself fined around £100 if you flout this rule.
Don’t pee in the sea
Image copyright Alamy Don’t relieve yourself in the ocean in Portugal.
It’s against the law and even though it’s unclear how this can be enforced you should stick to the toilets.
Check your medicines
In Japan, due to strict anti-stimulant drug laws, something you’ve innocently packed to help with your cold could be banned.
Pseudoephedrine is in things like Sudafed and Vicks inhalers and they’re prohibited in the country.
Be careful when you enter the country as you might be stopped and have them confiscated.
Budgie smugglers
Image copyright Getty Images If you’re heading to France, make sure you leave your swim shorts at home – most swimming pools have a Speedo only rule.
It’s apparently for hygiene reasons and although it doesn’t carry a penalty, you won’t be allowed in without them.
(Okay this isn’t a law but it’s still good to know!)
Stick to the rules and, hopefully, you won’t be one of hundreds of Britons who are arrested abroad each year.
Recent stats suggest Spain, the United Arab Emirates, France, Thailand and the US are the top five places where the UK government provided help for the 829 people arrested in the year up to April 2017.
How to get help
If you do find yourself in trouble though you should ask that the local British embassy or consulate are notified (the local authorities must do this).
Ask family or friends to contact the local British consulate or the Global Casework team at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in London.
Staff there will do what they can to help you, but they can’t get you out of jail or help pay for a lawyer.
They can, however, contact you in prison and inform your family and friends that you’ve been arrested.
“If you’re taken the most important thing is that you don’t sign a confession,” says Radha Stirling the Founder and CEO of the campaign group, Detained in Dubai.
“What they will say is if you sign this we will let you out and they never do.
“It’s often a fabricated charge, so don’t sign anything that you don’t understand or can’t read – it’s the most dangerous, it’s the number one thing.”
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