A Houston woman has been detained in Dubai for months after she was charged with screaming in public, according to her mother.
Tierra Young Allen, 29, was in the passenger seat of her friend's rental car when they got into an accident in Dubai while on vacation, her mother, Tina Baxter told Fox 26. When Allen went to the rental car company to retrieve her ID, credit card, and other items she left in the vehicle, the trip took a turn.
"She found out she could only receive those items if she paid an undisclosed amount of money," Allen's mom said. "She dealt with a very aggressive individual a young man there who was screaming at her."
Baxter said her daughter yelled back at the man, which resulted in her being charged for screaming in Dubai.
"It’s been very emotional. There are some days I stay up all night crying," the mom said.
According to Baxter, Allen has had her passport confiscated and she is barred from leaving the UAE pending the outcome of an investigation. Allen has retained an attorney in Dubai and is being told she could face jail time because there's surveillance video of her screaming.
Community Activist Quanell X said he's reached out to the American Consulate in Dubai to bring Allen home.
"She is in jail for one reason and one reason alone, she raised her voice. In that country, a female is not even allowed to raise her voice. If she raises her voice it’s punishable by jail time," Quanell X said. "In our opinion, she did not commit a crime. Don’t punish women for doing the same thing a man can do in Dubai. It’s not fair and it’s not right. I’ve reached out to Dubai Consulate. I’ve reached out to the American Consulate there in Dubai."
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