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Britons' Rio arrest a 'mistake' | Britons' Rio arrest a 'mistake' |
(20 minutes 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". | 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". | 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 before police found the belongings at their hostel. | Reports say the 23-year-olds claimed items had been stolen before 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. |
The women were due back from a nine-month trip around the world on Tuesday. | The women were due back from a nine-month trip around the world on Tuesday. |
It is understood that if they were charged with fraud, they could face a five-year jail term. | It is understood that if they were charged with fraud, they could face a five-year jail term. |
'Show leniency' | 'Show leniency' |
Ms Headley, from Frant, near Tunbridge Wells in Kent, said when she spoke to her daughter on Monday that she had been "terrified" and "in tears". | Ms Headley, from Frant, near Tunbridge Wells in Kent, said when she spoke to her daughter on Monday that she had been "terrified" and "in tears". |
Ms Headley hopes Brazilian authorities will realise the "misunderstanding" | Ms Headley hopes Brazilian authorities will realise the "misunderstanding" |
"She had had a couple of nights in the police cell and she was aware she was going to be transferred to a women's prison," Ms Headley told the BBC. | |
"It was so difficult. I told her she would get through it and it was a story she was going to tell her grandchildren." | "It was so difficult. I told her she would get through it and it was a story she was going to tell her grandchildren." |
She said both her daughter and Miss Turner were "honest and hardworking" and "had never been in trouble in their lives". | She said both her daughter and Miss Turner were "honest and hardworking" and "had never been in trouble in their lives". |
"I think what has happened to the girls is disproportionate to the alleged offence," she said. | |
"I just hope the Brazilian legal system will show leniency and mercy." | |
Police report | |
She added she could not comment on suggestions that the arrests were linked to alleged insurance fraud. | |
Shanti Andrews kept family and friends informed about her trip via Facebook | |
"The girls had some things stolen and they put a report into the police station," she said. "There was a misunderstanding - a couple of the items they claimed were then found in their luggage." | "The girls had some things stolen and they put a report into the police station," she said. "There was a misunderstanding - a couple of the items they claimed were then found in their luggage." |
Miss Andrews' father has gone to Brazil and the family has appointed a solicitor. | |
A Foreign Office spokesman said it was providing consular assistance. | A Foreign Office spokesman said it was providing consular assistance. |
Press reports in the UK and Brazil say the women had claimed belongings, worth a total of £1,000, were stolen during a bus journey from the tourist resort of Foz do Iguacu to Rio de Janeiro. | Press reports in the UK and Brazil say the women had claimed belongings, worth a total of £1,000, 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. | 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. |