Australian woman jailed in Abu Dhabi for
Facebook post

11:00 PM Tuesday Jul 14, 2015
Australian officials are trying to speed up the deportation of a woman arrested in the United Arab Emirates for "writing bad words on social media".

Jodi Magi, 39, of Western Australia, was sentenced to a fine and

deportation after she posted a photo on Facebook of a car parked across two disabled spots outside her Abu Dhabi apartment.

After a complaint about the post landed Ms Magi in an Abu Dhabi court, she was found guilty of "writing bad words on social media

Jodi Magi is awaiting deportation from UAE after posting photos on Facebook of poor parking. Photo / Facebook

about a person".

"You are a brave girl! Stay strong"
A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) spokeswoman said consular officials were making representations to local authorities in an effort to expedite Ms Magi's departure.

"Australians travelling overseas are subject to the laws of the country they are in, and consular officials

can't prevent the detention of Australians or retrieve their passport if it is held by local authorities," the spokeswoman said.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said the graphic designer had been receiving consular assistance since she was charged with cyber crimes under UAE law, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

"And I'm expecting her to be deported in a very short time, and Australian consular officials are providing her and her husband whatever support we can," she said.

After presenting herself at court to pay the fine on July 12, Ms Magi was taken into custody pending her deportation - a standard practice in Abu Dhabi, DFAT said.

Ms Magi earlier criticised the Australian Government, telling the ABC it seemed concerned only about the trade relationship with the UAE.

"I was under the impression that embassies were in