Jodi Magi, 39, is a graphic artist from Australia, having previously worked in Perth and Melbourne before moving to Abu Dhabi in 2012. She posted on her Facebook account a picture of a car parked across two parking slots reserved for the handicapped right outside her apartment. She eliminated private information like license plates and other identifiable details.
A complaint was lodged against her for 'writing bad words on social media', according to ABC Reports. The police picked her up, took her for a ride and threatened to deport her. She volunteered to deport herself and pay the fine of $ 3,600 (approximate in US Dollars). Authorities, however, refused and instead gave her a day in court. Magi could have expected to end her trauma there.
Unfortunately, the judge found her guilty, and had her arrested. She was brought to a men's jail, but authorities there refused her. So now even government is not sure where to place her.
Experts on the local laws, Amnesty International UAE say Magi could have violated Article 21 of the 2012 Cyber Crime Law. The specific article prohibits using a computer network or electronic information to invade the privacy of another, and for processing a photo for defamation of or attacking another or invading his privacy. Violators may be meted imprisonment of 6 months to one year aside from payment of fines.
The offending photo has long been removed from the Facebook account of Jodi Magi. Friends from across the globe are now using her account to express their love and support to the artist who was in Abu Dhabi to teach graphic art to the women there. The Australian embassy in UAE, according to Magi, has offered her no assistance except to advise her to get a lawyer. Since the predicament of Magi has hit international news, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has issued statements that they have extended assistance to their Australian national, but cant go into the details of it.
