A woman was detained in Dubai for three days with her 4-year-old daughter after drinking a complimentary glass of wine on a flight from London, according to the human rights group Detained in Dubai.
The Guardian reports that Ellie Holman, a 44-year-old dentist originally from Sweden who lives in England with her partner, Gary, and their children, was denied water and made to clean toilets while in custody.
She was arrested on July 13 after an immigration official questioned her about her visa and asked if she had consumed alcohol.
“After landing, she was questioned by an immigration official, who said her visa was invalid and she must return to London immediately, the group said.
She said the official was “dismissive and rude” when she asked if she could buy another visa, and was then questioned about her alcohol, which she admitted to consuming
Holman claims she and her daughter Bibi were initially denied food, water, and access to a toilet while being held in a cell together for three days.
Holman claimed the guards tried to rip out her hair extensions and described the prison as hot and “foul-smelling,” according to the Guardian. She said the pair were made to sleep on a “filthy” mattress and she was told to clean toilets and floors.
“My little girl had to go to the toilet on the cell floor. I have never heard her cry in the same way as she did in that cell,” she said.
When her partner, Gary, found out they had been detained, he quickly flew from England to Dubai, News.com.au reports.
Three days later the dentist was taken back to the airport and released on bail, but so far the situation has cost her tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees, expenses, and missed work. She was also told she must stay in Dubai until the case was resolved.
However, perhaps due to heavy coverage of this story in the U.K. press, Holman was told in a telephone call Saturday that she can leave Dubai at any time and will not face any charges. The Dubai government also apologized and said it will pay for the flights home, the Daily Mail reports.
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