Cosmopolitan Magazine

Chief executive of Detained in Dubai, Radha Stirling, told BBC News that "no-one would really be aware" of the severity of cyber-crime laws in the UAE.

Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai, explained why this worrying situation has occurred: "In Dubai, if two parties are in dispute or arguing, the first person to speak to the police is usually the one who is believed. Often it is a race to get to the police first.

"By making this complaint, the man may have been safeguarding himself from being charged himself. Also, it is clear in this case that Asa was a bystander, not involved with the fight and is only being victimised because the alleged culprits have left the country."

Stirling added: "Visitors to the UAE need to be aware that justice does not operate the same way as it does in countries with mature legal systems."