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UK law graduates arrested in Rio Britons' Rio arrest a 'mistake'
(about 3 hours later)
Two British law graduates have been arrested in Brazil on suspicion of fraudulently claiming their belongings had been stolen, reports say. The mother of one of two British law graduates arrested in Brazil over alleged false claims they had been robbed says it is a "misunderstanding".
Reports in the Brazilian and UK press say the women - Shanti Andrews and Rebecca Turner, both 23 - claimed they had been robbed during a bus journey. Simone Headley said her daughter Shanti Andrews and friend Rebecca Turner were both "absolutely traumatised".
Reports say the 23-year-olds claimed items had been stolen but the police found the belongings at their hostel.
The Foreign Office confirmed two British nationals had been arrested in Rio de Janeiro on 26 July.The Foreign Office confirmed two British nationals had been arrested in Rio de Janeiro on 26 July.
A spokesman said: "We are providing consular assistance". 'Show leniency'
O Dia, a Rio de Janeiro daily newspaper, reported that the police were suspicious of the women and accompanied them back to their hotel, where they allegedly recovered the items claimed stolen. Ms Headley, from Frant, near Tunbridge Wells in Kent, said she had spoken to her "devastated" daughter on Monday.
"There has been a misunderstanding. Shanti and Rebecca are two hardworking young girls, never been in trouble," she said.
"This unfortunate incident came along at the end of their nine-month journey around the world.
"We hope the Brazilian justice system will see it as a misunderstanding and the girls will be able to come home safely. We are asking them to please show the world fairness and leniency."
"We are providing consular assistance," said a Foreign Office spokesman.
Press reports in the UK and Brazil say the women had claimed their belongings were stolen during a bus journey from the tourist resort of Foz do Iguacu to Rio de Janeiro.
O Dia, a Rio de Janeiro daily newspaper, reported that the police were suspicious of the women and accompanied them back to their hostel, where they allegedly recovered the items claimed stolen.