July 6th 2024.
British actress Sofia Hayat, known for her role in BBC's Waterloo Road, recently shared a shocking experience she had while on holiday in Dubai. According to the 39-year-old, she was detained in the UAE for two months after unintentionally breaking a strict defamatory law.
Hayat, who also appeared in the Indian version of Big Brother, had traveled to Dubai for a vacation. However, things took a turn for the worse when she got into a dispute with someone who owed her money. In a fit of anger, she threatened to expose them on social media, not realizing the severity of her actions.
The actress was caught off guard when her passport was seized at the airport and she was detained by the police for 12 hours. After six hours in a cell and another six hours of questioning, she was released but forced to stay in the country without her passport. The extended stay cost her a whopping £20,000, and she also lost an additional £20,000 in income while away.
In an interview with MailOnline, Hayat described Dubai as a "hell hole" and revealed that her perception of the city as a glamorous and wealthy destination was shattered. She vowed to never return to the UAE after her traumatic experience.
Being confined in a cell and not being able to leave the country was a devastating experience for Hayat. She had to cancel clients and worry about losing them, while also struggling to find a place to stay for an unknown period of time. The actress also suffered from panic attacks and had trouble sleeping during her stay.
Hayat was completely unaware that she had committed a crime until she reached out to the public prosecutor, desperate to go back home. She described her ordeal as a "nightmare" and a lonely one at that.
The actress finally managed to fly back home on February 26th, but not before having to pay a fine of £400 for overstaying in the country. She believes that her British passport and her status as an ex-Bollywood actress may have played a role in her release.
During her stay in Dubai, Hayat had to pay for AirBnbs and visit the police station once a week. She was told that she could face jail time or a hefty fine, but at her hearing, which was conducted in Arabic, she was not given a penalty and her passport was returned.
The actress has since reached out to the British Embassy in Dubai for comment. She wants her story to be heard and hopes that others can learn from her mistake.
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