When people talk about Dubai, it’s usually about their beautiful scenery and expensive taste. But they are also known for their history of detaining people for harmless actions or comments. According to VT, a man was detained for three years for accidentally touching a man’s hip. Now, a fitness guru may face a lengthy prison sentence for saying one word.
American fitness guru Jordan Branford could be in legal trouble after saying the word “bitch” on Instagram.
The United Arab Emirates has strict cybercrime laws, and using this word breaks them. Branford has lived in Dubai since 2008 but now has to pay $68,000 in fines, or face up to seven years in prison.
Branford was reported to authorities by his wife for using “bitch” on his Instagram post. Authorities then seized his passport until he pays the fine or serves the prison sentence.
The factor that had a large effect on her turning him in is that their marriage fell apart in 2017, according to the Daily Mail.
Branford told them that he would be working long hours to build his fitness business. He was doing this to provide a good life for his son Jaden. Friends would constantly tell Branford that his wife was behaving in unacceptable ways.
After Branford and his wife divorced, she tried to sue him multiple times. This frustrated the fitness guru, so he posted a clip of himself on Instagram complaining about the legal fees.
The post said, “So I woke up today and heard the bitch made another case.” Branford says that since his wife reported this, he has spent over $230,000 in legal fees. He also mentions that he was treated aggressively when he was arrested in March 2017.
Branford also states that he is unable to see his 17-year-old son who lives in Oregon. Branford has lost all his money and his business trying to fight this. The future that Branford was building for his son is now gone.
He knows that marriages usually end in hostility and bitterness. But Branford believes his ex-wife tried to ruin him, and now it appears she has succeeded.
The CEO of Detained in Dubai, Radha Stirling, is fighting on behalf of Branford.