# A mom is arrested for having one glass of wine on Emirates Airline **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 10, 2018, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-mom-is-arrested-for-having-one-glass-of-wine-on-emirates-airline/819386 "2018-08-10T13:58:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2018, 9:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-mom-is-arrested-for-having-one-glass-of-wine-on-emirates-airline/819386/21 "2018-08-11T09:59:28Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > The original source obviously badly bungled their facts, and no surprise that it was the _Daily Fail_. But the fact remains that countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia have horrible human rights records and are persistently guilty of conduct that would be totally unacceptable in civilized nations. Dealing severely with alcohol consumption isn’t one of them, though. Nobody would be shocked by a title like “mom arrested for having one line of cocain on British Airways”, for instance, and there’s no essential difference (I understand that in fact the story is distorted and she presumably wasn’t arrested for a glass of wine). > [@](#): > > Not to digress, but currently in the news in Canada is an escalating spat with Saudi Arabia over the fact that Canada dared to criticize its decision to jail two prominent women’s rights activists. In retaliation, Saudi Arabia [broke off diplomatic relations](https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-fix-big-mistake-saudi-foreign-minister-1.4777438), recalling its ambassador and expelling the Canadian ambassador – the kind of thing that normal countries only do as a prelude to war or something similarly serious – liquidated all its Canadian investments, ordered citizens of Saudi Arabia who were in Canadian hospitals to leave and get treatment outside the country, and various other crazy things. It’s obviously intended to have a chilling effect on other western governments, and unfortunately, it’s likely to work pretty well. Officials will become very reluctant to criticize Saudi Arabia human rights record. But anyway, we’ve all been best buddies with what is one of the worst regime on the planet, which is pretty much antithetic to all our supposedly important values, so just criticizing SA even less than we’re doing now isn’t going to change much. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2018, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-mom-is-arrested-for-having-one-glass-of-wine-on-emirates-airline/819386/22 "2018-08-11T14:43:31Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > In some regards, the US has lost the right to call itself a civilized country. Well, women can drive… so there’s that. ---
**Author:** ![chaika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chaika/32/405_2.png) [@chaika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chaika)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2018, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-mom-is-arrested-for-having-one-glass-of-wine-on-emirates-airline/819386/23 "2018-08-11T16:04:24Z")
Apparently the case against Ms. Holman has been dropped and she is free to return home. She stated that she received an apology on behalf of the government and they have even offered to pay for her plane ticket home. The publicity was clearly effective (assuming these reports are true). Nevertheless, Dubai is on my list of places I would never choose to visit. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2018, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-mom-is-arrested-for-having-one-glass-of-wine-on-emirates-airline/819386/24 "2018-08-11T16:12:54Z")
> [@Lucas\_Jackson](#): > > > [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > > > In some regards, the US has lost the right to call itself a civilized country. > > Well, women can drive… so there’s that. Someone, I think on SNL, pointed out that Saudi Arabia gave women the right to drive only shortly before cars will be given the right to drive themselves. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2018, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-mom-is-arrested-for-having-one-glass-of-wine-on-emirates-airline/819386/25 "2018-08-11T18:04:59Z")
> [@chaika](#): > > Nevertheless, Dubai is on my list of places I would never choose to visit. I’d sooner go to North Korea. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2018, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-mom-is-arrested-for-having-one-glass-of-wine-on-emirates-airline/819386/26 "2018-08-11T18:12:27Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > I’d sooner go to North Korea. I’m with you both. Not for me thank you. However my wife’s son visited recently and says he had a great time. ---
**Author:** ![eenerms](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/cdc98d/32.png) [@eenerms](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eenerms)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2018, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-mom-is-arrested-for-having-one-glass-of-wine-on-emirates-airline/819386/27 "2018-08-11T20:48:17Z")
I’ve been to Dubai, well before it’s mega development, mid nineties. You could get alcohol then. It was pretty then too, not like what I see now. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2018, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-mom-is-arrested-for-having-one-glass-of-wine-on-emirates-airline/819386/28 "2018-08-11T21:15:08Z")
The Dubai government promotes tourism and the money it brings in. But, they are mindful of the conservative religious elements. They can’t risk stirring them up. It doesn’t help when tourists openly get intoxicated or start getting frisky in public. Arab Spring put the fear into that entire region. Egypt is still struggling to keep the conservative religious element under control and keep tourism. I’m not sure what the full story is with this lady. One glass of wine on a plane shouldn’t have been a problem. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2018, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-mom-is-arrested-for-having-one-glass-of-wine-on-emirates-airline/819386/29 "2018-08-11T21:43:23Z")
Every international border I’ve been to has signs about no phones and no photography or filming. Most of the time, they don’t care if you’re using the phone while in the queue at immigration, but you’d better put it away as you approach the immigration officer. It is up to her to make sure the visa is valid and the airline shouldn’t have let her board without a valid visa. I’d imagine it was actually the airline that had to pay for the return flight. I’m sure the glass of wine wasn’t what caused the arrest. Although, if she pregamed heavily at the airport, then anyone should know it’s never a good idea to try to enter any foreign country while intoxicated. ---
**Author:** ![Mangosteen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Mangosteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangosteen)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2018, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-mom-is-arrested-for-having-one-glass-of-wine-on-emirates-airline/819386/30 "2018-08-12T00:52:22Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > What? Kids in jails. That simply does not happen in civilized countries. Oh, wait, I take that back.☹ Yes, how could the Obama administration put kids in jail (cages) back in 2014? I thought Obama would never do such a thing while President of a civilized country like the United States. [![](https://media.townhall.com/townhall/404/twitchy-404.png) ](https://media.townhall.com/townhall/404/twitchy-404.png) ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2018, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-mom-is-arrested-for-having-one-glass-of-wine-on-emirates-airline/819386/31 "2018-08-14T18:13:46Z")
You know who else put kids in jails? ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2018, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-mom-is-arrested-for-having-one-glass-of-wine-on-emirates-airline/819386/32 "2018-08-14T18:22:43Z")
FDR? ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2018, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-mom-is-arrested-for-having-one-glass-of-wine-on-emirates-airline/819386/33 "2018-08-14T18:53:20Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > Every international border I’ve been to has signs about no phones and no photography or filming. Most of the time, they don’t care if you’re using the phone while in the queue at immigration, but you’d better put it away as you approach the immigration officer. At the Detroit airport, you can’t even have your phone out while you’re waiting in line for immigration. There are ICE officers walking up and down the line, loudly repeating for everyone the rule against cell phones, and occasionally speaking directly to the inevitable oblivious passenger who is using his phone and telling him/her to put it away immediately. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2018, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-mom-is-arrested-for-having-one-glass-of-wine-on-emirates-airline/819386/34 "2018-08-14T19:04:33Z")
> [@CookingWithGas](#): > > The UK government says [drinking is legal](https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/united-arab-emirates/local-laws-and-customs) in UAE except Sharjah. So the glass of wine bit is a red herring. From your link: > [@](#): > > …it is possible for tourists and visitors to buy and drink alcohol in licensed venues, such as hotels, restaurants and clubs. However, you should be aware that it is a punishable offence under UAE law to drink or be under the influence of alcohol in public. British nationals have been arrested and charged under this law, often in cases where they have come to the attention of the police for a related offence or matter, such as disorderly or offensive behaviour. > … > Passengers in transit through the UAE under the influence of alcohol may also be arrested. this passage seems highly relevant to her case. ---
**Author:** ![Desert\_Nomad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desert_nomad/32/177_2.png) [@Desert\_Nomad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Desert_Nomad)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2018, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-mom-is-arrested-for-having-one-glass-of-wine-on-emirates-airline/819386/35 "2018-08-14T20:24:11Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > I’d sooner go to North Korea. I used to live in Dubai and have been to North Korea. Dubai is a much nicer place. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2018, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-mom-is-arrested-for-having-one-glass-of-wine-on-emirates-airline/819386/36 "2018-08-14T23:57:36Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > FDR? Snap! ---
**Author:** ![Backwater\_Under\_Duck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ba8739/32.png) [@Backwater\_Under\_Duck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Backwater_Under_Duck)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2018, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-mom-is-arrested-for-having-one-glass-of-wine-on-emirates-airline/819386/37 "2018-08-15T01:19:05Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > I’d sooner go to North Korea. Shit. I won’t even go to Florida. ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2018, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-mom-is-arrested-for-having-one-glass-of-wine-on-emirates-airline/819386/38 "2018-08-15T02:13:34Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I’ve heard stories, perhaps not true, of people who entered Dubai (or one of the neighboring emirates or countries) with trace amounts of marijuana on their persons (like a single seed on the sole of their shoe) and being arrested for it. Honestly, given how many other countries you could visit, I don’t know why people would go to such oppressive regimes. Like Australia? I’ve been in court when people were convicted of that. The police only find a trace of marijuana if they search you, and they only search you if the want to find something to arrest you for. I’ve suggested that the police should be given the power of arbitrary arrest, so that they didn’t have to make up reasons. The counter argument is that if the police were given the power of arbitrary arrest, they’d be arbitrarily arresting people all the time. I don’t have any evidence one way or the other. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2018, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-mom-is-arrested-for-having-one-glass-of-wine-on-emirates-airline/819386/39 "2018-08-15T02:21:18Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > In retaliation, Saudi Arabia [broke off diplomatic relations](https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-fix-big-mistake-saudi-foreign-minister-1.4777438), recalling its ambassador and expelling the Canadian ambassador – the kind of thing that normal countries only do as a prelude to war or something similarly serious --. Hmm, SA has a much bigger standing Army, but I think Canada could whup them given enough time, and help from GB. :p:p ---
**Author:** ![MarvinKitFox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ba0ec/32.png) [@MarvinKitFox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MarvinKitFox)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2018, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-mom-is-arrested-for-having-one-glass-of-wine-on-emirates-airline/819386/40 "2018-08-15T06:20:28Z")
Apparently THIS gives the more correct story: [https://www.thenational.ae/uae/swedish-woman-deported-from-dubai-offered-botox-treatments-without-licence-1.759961](https://www.thenational.ae/uae/swedish-woman-deported-from-dubai-offered-botox-treatments-without-licence-1.759961) According to an article she: Is not a UK mom, she is a Swedish mom running a botox clinic in the UK She “advertised botox injections along with other procedures while on visits to Dubai”, where she has no medical license to practise. She “had tried to use her expired Swedish passport to enter the country, then used an Iranian passport without a visa.” When airport security queried her lack of valid passport, she became violently belligerent. The official charge she was held on is filming airport security. This is not allowed there. The real charge is: she was being a dick and considered herself above any and all laws in the country she was visiting. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-mom-is-arrested-for-having-one-glass-of-wine-on-emirates-airline/819386.md?page=1)