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Britons' Rio arrest a 'mistake' | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
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". | |
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. |
'Show leniency' | |
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. |