Vacation in Dubai turns into a nightmare: 24-year-old is stuck!

Vacation in Dubai turns into a nightmare: 24-year-old is stuck!

A 24-year-old man from Metz, Ohan Villeneuve, experienced a real nightmare while vacationing in Dubai. Loud Saarbrücken newspaper Villeneuve has been stuck in Dubai for over a month and cannot leave the country. The tragedy not only affected him but also his family, who traveled to Dubai for a two-week holiday in April.

During a trip, Villeneuve had stomach problems and went to a public toilet. Since the men's toilet was broken, he decided to use the women's toilet. However, his phone fell to the floor, causing a woman in the neighboring cubicle to scream as she thought he was filming her. The misunderstanding led to Villeneuve being approached by security forces. They initially showed understanding for the situation, but took a photo of his passport.

Formal charges and arrest

A few hours later, the woman filed a voyeurism complaint, which led to Villeneuve's arrest at the airport as he was about to fly back with his family at the end of April. He spent two days in an overcrowded prison while the contents of his cell phone were analyzed. Despite the outstanding circumstances - a medical certificate confirming his stomach problems ultimately led to the woman withdrawing her complaint and Villeneuve being released. However, to this day he is not allowed to leave Dubai because he has been banned from leaving the country. Loud BFMTV it could be due to the travel ban imposed on him by the authorities.

His family has already taken drastic financial measures, spending over €15,000 on canceled flights, accommodation and legal fees. Meanwhile, Villeneuve's stepfather, respected sports journalist Denis Balbir, tries to mobilize support by using contacts in the sports world to help his stepson. In addition, Villeneuve's mother filed a complaint at the Elysée to gain political support; an adviser has confirmed that French authorities are aware of the incident.

Current situation

Ohan Villeneuve is currently living in a hotel in Dubai. Although he can move there freely, he is tied to the country for tax purposes and cannot leave the country. The family remains optimistic, but the situation remains stressful and uncertain. The ongoing obstructions of the legal system in Dubai raise serious questions about legal security for foreign tourists and could lead to a diplomatic dilemma.

Ohan Villeneuve's story is a powerful example of how quickly a dream vacation can turn into a nightmare, and highlights the challenges travelers can face when misunderstanding local laws and norms arise.