Student jailed for a year in Dubai after 'humiliating' airport strip search

02 October 2023 , 20:10

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Elizabeth Polanco De Los Santos, 21, had intended to spend just six hours in the terminal (Image: Detained in Dubai / SWNS)

A young woman has been sentenced to one year in prison in Dubai after transiting on her way to New York.

Elizabeth Polanco De Los Santos, a 21-year-old college student from New York, has been sentenced to a year in prison in Dubai. Intending to transit through Dubai for a mere six hours on her way from Istanbul to New York, she allegedly faced degrading and invasive searches by airport staff.

Elizabeth, who wears a medical waist trainer suit due to medical reasons, was told to remove the garment by security officers. Feeling violated and uncomfortable, Elizabeth was ushered into a booth with plain-clothed women in local dress.

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Despite her pleas for assistance, she was met with laughter and stares. Struggling with the intricate pins and fastenings of her waist trainer, Elizabeth was left half-naked, humiliated, and in a state of panic. Eventually, a male officer allowed her friend to help her dress, but the nightmare did not end there.

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Elizabeth Polanco De Los Santos was accused of “assaulting and insulting” staff in Dubai airport (Detained in Dubai / SWNS)

She intended to spend just six hours in the terminal, as she transited from Istanbul, to her home city of New York (Detained in Dubai / SWNS)

Following the search, Elizabeth was accused of "assaulting and insulting" the female customs officer, a claim she vehemently denied. Despite her apologies and emotional distress, she was detained in a room for several more hours. Forced to sign paperwork in Arabic, she was allowed to leave the airport but was shocked to learn about a travel ban imposed on her.

Subsequently, Elizabeth faced an arduous legal battle in Dubai, leading to a one-year prison sentence. The situation prompted outrage and calls for increased travel warnings to US citizens visiting the UAE. Detained in Dubai, an advocacy organization is now mobilizing support, urging diplomatic efforts to secure Elizabeth's freedom.

"Elizabeth only intended to transit through Dubai for six hours, but she’s been there for months on end and has lost $50,000 in expenses and legal costs," said Radha Stirling, the founder of Detained in Dubai, an organization assisting Elizabeth. Her case has become another example of Americans facing legal challenges in the UAE.

The incident has raised serious concerns about the UAE's legal system, where a mere allegation can lead to convictions, regardless of evidence. Social media influencer Tierra Allen and traveller Peter Clark have faced similar ordeals, both warning fellow citizens about the risks of visiting Dubai.

Elizabeth, deeply worried about being detained in the notorious Al Awir prison, fears that promises of her release might be withdrawn. Efforts to secure her freedom involve diplomatic channels, with the US Embassy and Congressional representative Ritchie Torres being kept informed.

Advocacy groups, legal representatives, and concerned citizens are rallying support for her cause, urging the US State Department to revise travel warnings regarding the risk of false allegations and extortion scams in Dubai.

Vassia Barba