How a week in the sun could mean years in jail for some tourists
STRIPPING off in the sun to reveal a tattoo or quietly relaxing with an e-cigarette might seem harmless aspects of a holiday but tourists have been warned that in some countries they risk being deported for not respecting local customs – or even put in jail.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has issued a warning to millennials amid a rising number of arrests abroad for drugs offences and offending local cultures.
Young people are increasingly exploring exotic destinations, but going further afield can land them in hot water over poorly understood foreign laws.
The FCO said that visits to far-flung countries had risen, with trips to Sri Lanka up more than a fifth and those to the United Arab Emirates up 17 per cent between 2015 and 2016.
It dealt with more than 23,000 cases of arrests and detentions in 2016/17, a significant rise on the 17,000 in 2014/15. Its data also shows that there was a rise in drug-related arrests, of 8.7 per cent, and a 7.1 per cent overall rise between 2015/16 and the following year.
Behaviour which is tolerated in the UK, such as smoking, drinking and swearing, can land travellers in trouble with police abroad.
In Ukraine, for example, smoking or drinking alcohol in public places, including parks and public transport, is officially banned. In the United Arab Emirates, swearing can result in deportation. In Sri Lanka, Britons have been removed from the country for having visible tattoos of Buddha.
The Government believes celebrity trends could be inspiring the rising number of long-haul holidays, and it wants to encourage people to “avoid unnecessary trouble” by respecting local laws and customs.
A survey carried out by the Government department showed that onethird of 18-24 year-olds were inspired in their choice of holiday by celebrities. However, just 38 per cent checked of- ficial travel advice before going away. Johnny Depp, the US actor, was investigated by the Australian authorities after bringing his dogs Pistol and Boo into the country in 2015 alongside Amber Heard, his then wife.
FCO guidance warns that Australia has “strict quarantine rules to keep out pests and diseases … Breaches of regulations can result in large fines”.
In Turkey, travellers could be jailed for up to three years for insulting the national flag or defacing currency.
Closer to home, raucous travellers to Greece should note that behaviour such as mooning can lead to arrest followed by a fine or prison sentence.
The FCO warned travellers that it could not investigate crimes, free British citizens imprisoned abroad, give out legal advice or translate documents.