Akula ; Interesting post & question. I guess we, professional Airline pilots, are not regarded any differently, by foreign authorities, to ordinary visitors etc.
I can never recall any formal advice given by my airline ( employed by 7). I can never, through employment, recall any formal advice given by the Foreign Office or Consular Authorities. I was aware of the need to observe local rules and regulations by reading of the handling of other unfortunates in general press and TV reports. Oh, and TV series like the recent airing of the appalling . Nzanin Ratcliffe case.
Indeed, only one one employer, at the height of the UK/Irish troubles was so concerned by the Belfast Crew Cafe bombing that they told us to avoid leaving the aircraft during extended turn-rounds and then, followed by asking for Volunteers for the turn-round sked.
informal advice was, of course, legion.
How I ,personally, avoided the occasional flogging in a public square, serious jail time for offending very important people is, frankly, beyond me.
Oh, hang on.........................................for another time capsule...................