My friend when you put the words UAE and principle in the same sentence you create a paradox! Are you willing to solve this problem while your wife sits in jail? I was flying (Dubai company) with a colleague who had left and returned to Dubai only to be put in jail for a 200Dhs phone bill that he didn't realize he owed. He managed to get all resolved with great grief...but would you wish to see your wife suffer the consequences of a $25 corruption fee!!! This is the same country who put women in jail for being raped. Pay the money and consider it part of a visa fee to get back into the place. Although I am not an international lawyer, you will not be held in contempt for $25 in the world wide venue of finance. When I worked in Dubai we had a runner who accrued massive debt and flew the coupe. What he did was legally and morally wrong, but he was not held accountable. However, would not want to be in his shoes if he were to return to the GCC!!!
Grizz