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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| British man held in Dubai for raising middle finger | British man held in Dubai for raising middle finger |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A British man who raised his middle finger at another driver in Dubai could face jail after he was arrested for "offensive behaviour". | A British man who raised his middle finger at another driver in Dubai could face jail after he was arrested for "offensive behaviour". |
| Jamil Ahmed Mukadam, from Leicester, said he reacted "in frustration" when the driver cut him off in traffic. | Jamil Ahmed Mukadam, from Leicester, said he reacted "in frustration" when the driver cut him off in traffic. |
| It happened in February but he was detained on 10 September as he returned to Dubai for a second holiday. | It happened in February but he was detained on 10 September as he returned to Dubai for a second holiday. |
| His passport has been confiscated and Mr Mukadam has been told he must remain in the city awaiting a court hearing. | His passport has been confiscated and Mr Mukadam has been told he must remain in the city awaiting a court hearing. |
| A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We are assisting a British man who was detained in Dubai and remain in contact with the local authorities." | A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We are assisting a British man who was detained in Dubai and remain in contact with the local authorities." |
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| Mr Mukadam, who works for the British government in IT, said he had no idea he had a case against him when he returned to Dubai. | Mr Mukadam, who works for the British government in IT, said he had no idea he had a case against him when he returned to Dubai. |
| "I am worried about running out of money before I even get to court," he said. | "I am worried about running out of money before I even get to court," he said. |
| "No-one plans to spend two months, or more, in hotels in Dubai." | "No-one plans to spend two months, or more, in hotels in Dubai." |
| The organisation Detained in Dubai is supporting Mr Mukadam in the case. | The organisation Detained in Dubai is supporting Mr Mukadam in the case. |
| Radha Stirling, its chief executive, said the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a common place for British citizens to be arrested. | Radha Stirling, its chief executive, said the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a common place for British citizens to be arrested. |
| 'False sense of security' | 'False sense of security' |
| "This, in my opinion, is because the country presents itself as very modern and it seems that most behaviour that contradicts the law, is actually ignored," she said. | "This, in my opinion, is because the country presents itself as very modern and it seems that most behaviour that contradicts the law, is actually ignored," she said. |
| "It lulls unsuspecting visitors into a false sense of security that this behaviour is tolerated. | "It lulls unsuspecting visitors into a false sense of security that this behaviour is tolerated. |
| "However, when a finger is pointed at such behaviour, the wrath of the legal system is severe and can warrant lengthy prison sentences." | "However, when a finger is pointed at such behaviour, the wrath of the legal system is severe and can warrant lengthy prison sentences." |
| Criminal charges for 'common' behaviour | Criminal charges for 'common' behaviour |
| Detained in Dubai cautions visitors and expats they may face criminal charges for behaviour common in their own countries, including: | Detained in Dubai cautions visitors and expats they may face criminal charges for behaviour common in their own countries, including: |
| Ms Stirling said: "All of these behaviours are common in the UAE but if anyone makes a complaint about it, that person will be subject to arrest." | Ms Stirling said: "All of these behaviours are common in the UAE but if anyone makes a complaint about it, that person will be subject to arrest." |
| The organisation said it receives five to ten calls per week from people who have been accused of such crimes. | The organisation said it receives five to ten calls per week from people who have been accused of such crimes. |
| Ms Stirling said Mr Mukadam has already been charged and is waiting for a court hearing, which is expected to take four to six weeks. | Ms Stirling said Mr Mukadam has already been charged and is waiting for a court hearing, which is expected to take four to six weeks. |
| He will be asked whether he pleads guilty and then receive his judgment approximately three days later, she said. | He will be asked whether he pleads guilty and then receive his judgment approximately three days later, she said. |
| Mr Mukadam does not know who made the complaint or what nationality they are. | Mr Mukadam does not know who made the complaint or what nationality they are. |
| "If the complainant is Emirati or an influential person, the hearings are likely to be prejudiced against the defendant and he is more likely to be found guilty," said Ms Stirling. | "If the complainant is Emirati or an influential person, the hearings are likely to be prejudiced against the defendant and he is more likely to be found guilty," said Ms Stirling. |
| "If he were to contest the complaint, he could end up doing a disservice to himself. | "If he were to contest the complaint, he could end up doing a disservice to himself. |
| "If found guilty, he may receive a longer sentence." | "If found guilty, he may receive a longer sentence." |
| The length of the potential prison sentence is unclear, and he could be fined instead. | The length of the potential prison sentence is unclear, and he could be fined instead. |
| "The sentence appears discretionary and provides for imprisonment," said Ms Stirling. | "The sentence appears discretionary and provides for imprisonment," said Ms Stirling. |
| "Local lawyers have said not less than six months but we have seen other cases receiving lesser sentences." | "Local lawyers have said not less than six months but we have seen other cases receiving lesser sentences." |