Dubai closes case after dropping all charges against Swedish national

Passenger with her daughter tried to enter the country on an expired passport

Esam Eisa Al Humaidan, Attorney General of Dubai confirmed yesterday that the Dubai Public Prosecution has completed investigations and closed the case involving a Swedish national who attempted to enter the UAE on an expired passport.

According to a press release by the Dubai Media Office, the incident started with the arrival of the accused Ellie Hollman with her daughter from London Gatwick Airport on board an Emirates flight.

She attempted to enter the country using a Swedish passport, which had already expired on June 10, 2018.

She was advised by the immigration officer that she could not enter the country with an expired passport. She then presented an Iranian passport, and was informed by the officer that she could enter the country by availing a new temporary visa, which allowed a 96-hour stay, and had to change her departure flight according to the new visa.

Hollman refused angrily due to the additional payment fees the process would require, and proceeded to verbally insult the immigration officer and take photos of the officer via her phone.

A legal claim was issued against Hollman with charges of profanity and photographing a government official at the border crossing, a restricted area. The woman and her child remained together in the airport security office for less than 24 hours while services were provided to them, taking into full account and consideration of her four-year-old daughter.

Her father received her immediately upon his arrival and they subsequently departed the country. The prosecution decided to drop the charges against Hollman and to deport her instead.