American Student's Nightmare: Detained in Dubai for Months After Brief Layover

A 21-year-old New York college student, Elizabeth Polanco De Los Santos, has been detained in Dubai for months after airport officials accused her of assault for lightly nudging a female security officer during a "humiliating" search. Filing a case against someone in Dubai triggers a legal process that prohibits the accused from leaving the country, often leading to extortion attempts. Detained in Dubai, an organization providing legal assistance to foreigners, highlights the unjust treatment of visitors in the UAE, with some individuals being detained for years on bogus or minor charges. Polanco De Los Santos, who has been moving between hotels and attending court hearings, faces the prospect of staying in the country for months even if she wins her case.