British mother in Dubai risking 2 years in jail and €58,000 fine because of old FB post
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A British single mother faces up to two years in jail and a fine of €58,000 in Dubai after being detained over comments she made on social media in 2016 insulting her husband’s new wife.
Laleh Sharavesh, 55, described Samah Al Hammadi on Facebook as a “horse” after being shocked to hear that the 42-year-old Tunisian woman had married her ex-husband Pedro, shortly after receiving divorce papers following 18 years of marriage. The offending comments were made in Farsi
According to the human rights group Detained in Dubai, Sharavesh was arrested at Dubai airport on March 10 after flying to the United Arab Emirates with her 14-year-old daughter Paris to attend the funeral of her former husband, who had died of a heart attack.
Under Dubai’s cybercrime laws, people who visit the desert state can be heavily fined and jailed for social media posts made before they visit, the campaign group warns. It’s believed that Sharavesh – who had lived in the UAE for eight months – was arrested following a complaint from her ex-husband’s new wife.
Police have now freed Sharavesh on bail with her daughter. But while Paris was flown back to London and has since been staying with relatives, her mother is not allowed to leave Dubai.
Sharavesh, who says she has lost her job and is in debt because of her hotel bills, is due to appear in court again this week.
