Just Another Day in the Life.....
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Just Another Day in the Life.....
Sydney woman being held in Dubai
Passport seized, drunk and disorderly charge laid after run-in with authorities
By CHRIS LAMBIE Staff Reporter
Fri. Oct 10 - 7:59 AM
Nicole Stroop-Gillis (Family photo)
Authorities in Dubai have detained a Nova Scotia woman for the past 10 days after she had a run-in with airport security.
Nicole Stroop-Gillis had been working as a civilian supply technician at Kandahar Airfield in southern Afghanistan since July when she flew out Oct. 1 for a 19-day vacation. The 34-year- old was headed to South Africa to see her boyfriend and was only planning to stop in Dubai for about 15 hours.
"She hasn’t slept in two days, so she’s beyond being a basket case," her mother, Sharon Gillis, said Thursday in an interview from her home in Sydney.
"She’s terrified, to say the least."
The trouble started when Ms. Stroop-Gillis took a taxi from one airport terminal to another to meet a friend who was also flying that day.
"She went from one to the other and then came back, and was about to go out again and she was stopped by this security person," said her mom.
"He told her that that was very bad and she shouldn’t have done that. And she said, ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t know.’ "
The security officer questioned her and eventually accused her of disrespecting him, Ms. Gillis said.
Her daughter now faces a charge of being drunk and disorderly.
"She had had a couple of beer on the plane and, of course, that’s a no-no in Dubai," Ms. Gillis said.
Police took her to a nearby hospital where a blood sample was taken, said her mom.
She was placed in a deportation centre at the airport and authorities took away her passport, Ms. Gillis said.
"She had been told when she was booked in that they didn’t know why she was there and that she would likely go before the prosecutor in the morning, pay a fine and be gone. Well, that didn’t happen."
Officials released Ms. Stroop-Gillis from custody Oct. 2. She’s now staying in a Dubai hotel because she can’t leave the United Arab Emirates without a passport.
Canadian consular officials have told her the results of the case against her could range from charges being dropped, to a fine, to jail time.
Ms. Stroop-Gillis made her first court appearance Sunday, said her mother.
"She was quite sure that when she went in, it would be the fine and (she would be) gone and that would be it," Ms. Gillis said.
"When she got there, she was told that, no, it was being left up to this security guard. If he didn’t accept her apology, she would have to go to court because he was the second-highest-ranking security officer at the airport and this was very serious and he was very offended and she’d disrespected him greatly."
Ms. Stroop-Gillis has tried to apologize to him in person and in writing, said her mother.
"He refuses all contact. So it’s pretty impossible to go that route."
Ms. Stroop-Gillis was reluctant to discuss the matter when reached by telephone in Dubai.
"I’m sorry. I’m really afraid of what it will do," she said, referring calls to her mother.
On an Internet site, she wrote that if the official doesn’t accept her apology, she may have to wait months for another court date.
"He is the only person who can have the charges dropped or prevent the court hearing from going forward," she wrote in a Facebook posting. "Please, just cross digits/pray/write letters to MPs, whatever you have time or inclination for to help me get out of here. Any support or assistance is appreciated very much — not just by me but by those who love me."
A spokesman with the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade said Canada is aware of the temporary detention of the Canadian citizen in Dubai.
Rodney Moore said in an e-mail that consular officials in Dubai and Canada are actively providing assistance and support to Ms. Stroop-Gillis and her family but cannot provide further details on the case because of privacy rules.
"There is no acceptable legal limit of alcohol consumption," says an online travel report for Dubai prepared by Foreign Affairs. "Individuals may be required to take a blood and/or urine test if they are suspected of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If the tests are positive, travellers may be prosecuted."
Ms. Stroop-Gillis first got interested in international work after volunteering with the Red Cross to help thousands of Kosovar refugees airlifted to Nova Scotia in 1999.
"Some of them invited her over for a visit and that’s how she got involved," her mother said.
Ms. Stroop-Gillis worked in Kosovo for 3½ years at various jobs. She was working in the Darfur region of western Sudan until June.
"It’s not like she fell off the turnip truck," said her mom. "It’s not her first time out of the country. It’s certainly not her first time in Muslim countries."
Passport seized, drunk and disorderly charge laid after run-in with authorities
By CHRIS LAMBIE Staff Reporter
Fri. Oct 10 - 7:59 AM
)
Nicole Stroop-Gillis (Family photo)
Authorities in Dubai have detained a Nova Scotia woman for the past 10 days after she had a run-in with airport security.Nicole Stroop-Gillis had been working as a civilian supply technician at Kandahar Airfield in southern Afghanistan since July when she flew out Oct. 1 for a 19-day vacation. The 34-year- old was headed to South Africa to see her boyfriend and was only planning to stop in Dubai for about 15 hours.
"She hasn’t slept in two days, so she’s beyond being a basket case," her mother, Sharon Gillis, said Thursday in an interview from her home in Sydney.
"She’s terrified, to say the least."
The trouble started when Ms. Stroop-Gillis took a taxi from one airport terminal to another to meet a friend who was also flying that day.
"She went from one to the other and then came back, and was about to go out again and she was stopped by this security person," said her mom.
"He told her that that was very bad and she shouldn’t have done that. And she said, ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t know.’ "
The security officer questioned her and eventually accused her of disrespecting him, Ms. Gillis said.
Her daughter now faces a charge of being drunk and disorderly.
"She had had a couple of beer on the plane and, of course, that’s a no-no in Dubai," Ms. Gillis said.
Police took her to a nearby hospital where a blood sample was taken, said her mom.
She was placed in a deportation centre at the airport and authorities took away her passport, Ms. Gillis said.
"She had been told when she was booked in that they didn’t know why she was there and that she would likely go before the prosecutor in the morning, pay a fine and be gone. Well, that didn’t happen."
Officials released Ms. Stroop-Gillis from custody Oct. 2. She’s now staying in a Dubai hotel because she can’t leave the United Arab Emirates without a passport.
Canadian consular officials have told her the results of the case against her could range from charges being dropped, to a fine, to jail time.
Ms. Stroop-Gillis made her first court appearance Sunday, said her mother.
"She was quite sure that when she went in, it would be the fine and (she would be) gone and that would be it," Ms. Gillis said.
"When she got there, she was told that, no, it was being left up to this security guard. If he didn’t accept her apology, she would have to go to court because he was the second-highest-ranking security officer at the airport and this was very serious and he was very offended and she’d disrespected him greatly."
Ms. Stroop-Gillis has tried to apologize to him in person and in writing, said her mother.
"He refuses all contact. So it’s pretty impossible to go that route."
Ms. Stroop-Gillis was reluctant to discuss the matter when reached by telephone in Dubai.
"I’m sorry. I’m really afraid of what it will do," she said, referring calls to her mother.
On an Internet site, she wrote that if the official doesn’t accept her apology, she may have to wait months for another court date.
"He is the only person who can have the charges dropped or prevent the court hearing from going forward," she wrote in a Facebook posting. "Please, just cross digits/pray/write letters to MPs, whatever you have time or inclination for to help me get out of here. Any support or assistance is appreciated very much — not just by me but by those who love me."
A spokesman with the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade said Canada is aware of the temporary detention of the Canadian citizen in Dubai.
Rodney Moore said in an e-mail that consular officials in Dubai and Canada are actively providing assistance and support to Ms. Stroop-Gillis and her family but cannot provide further details on the case because of privacy rules.
"There is no acceptable legal limit of alcohol consumption," says an online travel report for Dubai prepared by Foreign Affairs. "Individuals may be required to take a blood and/or urine test if they are suspected of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If the tests are positive, travellers may be prosecuted."
Ms. Stroop-Gillis first got interested in international work after volunteering with the Red Cross to help thousands of Kosovar refugees airlifted to Nova Scotia in 1999.
"Some of them invited her over for a visit and that’s how she got involved," her mother said.
Ms. Stroop-Gillis worked in Kosovo for 3½ years at various jobs. She was working in the Darfur region of western Sudan until June.
"It’s not like she fell off the turnip truck," said her mom. "It’s not her first time out of the country. It’s certainly not her first time in Muslim countries."
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Having a beer is not a no no in Dubai.
I have been there many times and you are able to drink in the hotels and bars, as long as you obey the rules and are not found drinking in public view outside of these areas there is no problem.
You also cannot be found to be under the influence in public.
If you obey the rules you are fine perhaps the said person may have had more to say at the time to the Security guard which I would say more than likely caused the problem.
People have to remember in a foreign country respect the laws.
I have been there many times and you are able to drink in the hotels and bars, as long as you obey the rules and are not found drinking in public view outside of these areas there is no problem.
You also cannot be found to be under the influence in public.
If you obey the rules you are fine perhaps the said person may have had more to say at the time to the Security guard which I would say more than likely caused the problem.
People have to remember in a foreign country respect the laws.
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What law would that be???? If the security guard doesn't like you he arrests you and, as the article says, you end up in limbo for months.
I would love to see what would happen in Canada if an Arab was detained in such a manner!
I would love to see what would happen in Canada if an Arab was detained in such a manner!
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I would love to see what would happen in Canada if an Arab was detained in such a manner!
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Dont count on the Embassy comming to the rescue
The Real Eye Opener for all is that the Western Embassies will go through very few motions to assist their citizens in Dubai.They will not step out of line to upset the Ruling Family here in the UAE.
Pi55 poor reaction from all of our Embassies here in Dubai. The reality of living in Dubai is really only brought home to those who have experienced such hospitality on a personal level either through family,friends or personally.
My condolences to the woman concerned.
Pi55 poor reaction from all of our Embassies here in Dubai. The reality of living in Dubai is really only brought home to those who have experienced such hospitality on a personal level either through family,friends or personally.
My condolences to the woman concerned.
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Sis - first of all I would take issue with this type of treatment of any nationality. In fact, if that person had been Sri Lankan/Filipino etc I have no doubt that she would be treated even worse.
The fact is, in this situation a woman was arrested and is being detained for a period of weeks (soon to be months) because she 'insulted' a security guard. He happens to be senior and so has the power to create the issue.
My point is that in the 'Western World' (your words) this would NOT happen. Security or customs might be able to make your life difficult for a few hours but that would be the limit. If you were arrested you not be held for weeks or months while waiting for your 'punishment'.
What troubles have you experienced?? My guess is an hour or two with customs while entering Europe or the US. Hardly a comparison with this case.
Was she drunk and disorderly - I hardly think so. Even the case against her does not mention this. The case against her is regarding insulting the security guard. Anywhere else it would be dismissed or dealt with quickly and fairly. This is a case of an Emirati getting upset and using the 'justice' system to make her pay.
And yes - in the West if this happened to an a 'non-westerner' there would be an uproar and cries of racism. I could provide a few hundred examples from Canada alone.
The fact is, in this situation a woman was arrested and is being detained for a period of weeks (soon to be months) because she 'insulted' a security guard. He happens to be senior and so has the power to create the issue.
My point is that in the 'Western World' (your words) this would NOT happen. Security or customs might be able to make your life difficult for a few hours but that would be the limit. If you were arrested you not be held for weeks or months while waiting for your 'punishment'.
What troubles have you experienced?? My guess is an hour or two with customs while entering Europe or the US. Hardly a comparison with this case.
Was she drunk and disorderly - I hardly think so. Even the case against her does not mention this. The case against her is regarding insulting the security guard. Anywhere else it would be dismissed or dealt with quickly and fairly. This is a case of an Emirati getting upset and using the 'justice' system to make her pay.
And yes - in the West if this happened to an a 'non-westerner' there would be an uproar and cries of racism. I could provide a few hundred examples from Canada alone.
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It's sad that you can't get that I'm not trying to minimize this but only want to remind this kind of **** happens everywhere. Here it's probably emphasized because she's a westerner and the security guy is a local. The fact is that such abuses with western security/police/customs towards foreigners also happens... I remember a couple of stories with poor fellas "accidentally" shot by police or badly humiliated. This kind of stupid behavior is not uncommon when giving some kind of authority to frustrated retards.
Totally different matter: you still have dozens of guys in Guantanamo who have been jailed for years sometimes without charges and decent treatment...
Of course nationals may have more influence than westerners and such abuses can arise anytime... as some Arab travelers wouldn't be surprised to be badly treated by some western immigration officers... A local security guy is abusing, this happens everywhere, it's just another day in the life
UAE is not Disneyland, it's still surounded by Iran and Saudi Arabia...
Totally different matter: you still have dozens of guys in Guantanamo who have been jailed for years sometimes without charges and decent treatment...
Of course nationals may have more influence than westerners and such abuses can arise anytime... as some Arab travelers wouldn't be surprised to be badly treated by some western immigration officers... A local security guy is abusing, this happens everywhere, it's just another day in the life
UAE is not Disneyland, it's still surounded by Iran and Saudi Arabia...
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I have been to Dubai many times,i find the police officers very fair and honest compared to others in some western countries.I find it very unlikely that she is charged for no reason.
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This sh'''t happens in dictatorships,
Third World countries, Banana Republics and yes lately in the US and UK. However the later is ia problem of a crazy politics of neocons while the Dubai problem is a typical Arab Dictatorship cronysm problem.
In a real democratic country this will not happen and the scum security agent would be reprimanded or fired and the drunk passenger would get a warning or a small fine for unruly behavior at most.
In a real democratic country this will not happen and the scum security agent would be reprimanded or fired and the drunk passenger would get a warning or a small fine for unruly behavior at most.
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This is a country where you have no human rights!! all visitors the the UAE should be aware of this.
A friend of mine has just got of jail after 13 months and you should hear the stories he has to tell, the police are so "bent" it's untrue, they'll get you drugs or anything for the right price, all it takes is a phone call.
A cell with 16 beds...how many people in there?..............87!!!!! sleep where you can.
They are the most corrupt race of people you will ever come across and all they do is hide behind their religion.
A friend of mine has just got of jail after 13 months and you should hear the stories he has to tell, the police are so "bent" it's untrue, they'll get you drugs or anything for the right price, all it takes is a phone call.
A cell with 16 beds...how many people in there?..............87!!!!! sleep where you can.
They are the most corrupt race of people you will ever come across and all they do is hide behind their religion.
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They are the most corrupt race of people you will ever come across and all they do is hide behind their religion
One question to you , if you hate Arabs so much why are you in the UAE ?
After all the West is the perfect utopian paradise unlike the non white lands and people you despise so much
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Generation Faithful: Away From Home in Dubai
Here are some guys in Dubai
Generation Faithful: Away From Home in Dubai - The New York Times > World > Slide Show > Slide 1 of 17
Generation Faithful: Away From Home in Dubai - The New York Times > World > Slide Show > Slide 1 of 17
