Abu Dhabi deports Australian for 'insulting' Facebook post

Abu Dhabi: An Australian woman was deported from the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday after being arrested and fined for "insulting" social media posts, according to a judicial source in Abu Dhabi.

Jodi Magi, 39, appeared in an Abu Dhabi court and was taken into custody on July 12 before being placed on a flight to Bangkok - her "destination of choice" - on Tuesday evening, the same source said.

The trouble began in February, when she posted on her Facebook page a photo of a car illegally parked between two places reserved for disabled drivers near her apartment in Abu Dhabi.

The picture was accompanied by "insulting, degrading remarks", said the source.

Following a complaint from the car's owner, a European, Magi admitted having posted the photo online but not the incriminating text, the source added.

In April, the Australian was sentenced in absentia to pay a fine of 10,000 dirhams ($2,720) and deportation.

She appeared in court with a lawyer and interpreter to appeal against the verdict the following month, but to no avail and her sentence was confirmed in June.