Australian deported from Abu Dhabi for “foul language on social media”

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates – Australian graphics arts teacher was deported on Tuesday evening after being found guilty of posting offensive language on social media.

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates – Australian graphics arts teacher was deported on Tuesday evening after being found guilty of posting offensive language on social media.

The 39 year-old Jodi Magi had posted a picture of a vehicle parked across two spots reserved for the disabled on her personal Facebook page earlier this year.

The image was accompanied with a slanderous message including the words โ€˜crazyโ€™ and a slang descriptor of the male sexual organ, directed at the vehicleโ€™s driver.

On February 24, the European vehicle owner, then complained to authorities about Magiโ€™s message.

Offensive statement

Citing a judicial source, the National Media Council (NMC) said: “Following a complaint from the car’s owner, a European, Magi, admitted having posted the photo online but not the incriminating text.”

Her husband told police on March 3, that while Magi had posted the pictures online, she had not written the offensive statement.

In April, Magi was sentenced to pay a Dh10,000 fine and deportation in absentia. After being detained, she had later unsuccessfully attempted to appeal the verdict, although she was released on bail the same day, the NMC said.

The Dh10,000 fine was paid in July before the deportation order was issued and Magi was sent to Bangkok as her “destination of choice.”

The Australian had been teaching graphics design to Emirati women in the capital after having lived in the country since 2012.

A statement issued by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said: โ€œMs Jodi Magi โ€ฆ was sentenced for a cyber crimes offence. On July 12, Ms Magi presented herself to a court in Abu Dhabi to pay a court ordered fine and was taken into custody pending deportation to Australia. This is normal practice in Abu Dhabi.โ€

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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