The father of a British woman who faces jail in Dubai after witnessing a drunken brawl has enlisted his local MP to help bring his daughter home.
Asa Hutchinson, 22, was arrested in Dubai after witnessing two male friends scuffle in a hotel corridor with a “drunk” Swedish man they were taking selfies with.
Since the arrest on April 29 2016, it has been claimed she has been framed for her friends’ offences, including theft and assault, and now faces legal action in the the middle Eastern country.
Her passport has been confiscated and she is now stranded in the United Arab Emirates.
Dad Iain Hutchinson, 52, said: “She set off for a fabulous dream and this has really soured it – it has become a nightmare. She was just a witness to what happened.
“What has gone on has been beyond belief. She has had her passport taken away and they are still working out how they will deal with her through the judiciary process.
“We are struggling. Both her mother and I are very close to her as is her sister – but all we have got is phone conversations from time to time.
“We have both been able to go out and see her so she is not left that long without her family. It is breaking our hearts.
“Everyone is able to come home but her, including those involved in the incident.”
Witham MP Priti Patel said: “I have been making direct representations on behalf of Asa and her family with the Foreign Office, at both the Ministerial level and with civil servants working on this case.
“It is imperative that all sides undertake renewed efforts to engage with one another, in order to remove the current anxiety over Asa’s future, to clear her name from any allegations associated with her and to ensure that she can return to her daily life.”
Ms Patel’s question is published on parliament.co.uk.
It said the aim was: “To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether the case of Asa Hutchinson has been discussed at meetings between Ministers of his Department and representatives from the United Arab Emirates Government; and whether any such future meetings are planned at which that case will be discussed.
“We continue to provide consular assistance to Miss Hutchinson and are in contact with her family, lawyer and the local authorities in Dubai.
“Consular issues affecting British nationals in the United Arab Emirates form part of our bilateral talks.”
A Foreign Office spokesman confirmed it was in contact with authorities in the United Arab Emirates.
Iain, who lives in Essex, is divorced from Asa’s mother, Lucie Harrison, who also lives in Essex.
https://www.thelondoneconomic.com/news/man-jailed-stealing-26k-chairs-police-busy-investigate/02/03/