Taiwanese man wrongly detained in Abu Dhabi returns home

Taipei, Jan. 20 (CNA) A Taiwanese man who was wrongly detained while transiting through Abu Dhabi International Airport on Nov. 24 returned to Taiwan on Jan. 17, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said Tuesday.

The man, a Yunlin County resident surnamed Chen (陳), was traveling with his wife, surnamed Yang (楊), who reported the incident to Taiwan's representative office in Dubai -- the office responsible for United Arab Emirates affairs -- the following day.

According to Kuomintang Legislator Chang Chia-chun (張嘉郡), Chen was mistakenly flagged as a wanted fugitive by a local artificial intelligence system.

After authorities confirmed that Chen was not involved in any criminal activity, he was released on Nov. 28. However, his travel restrictions could not be lifted immediately, as he was required to complete police reporting procedures that were delayed by a national holiday in the UAE, MOFA said.

Chen's travel restriction was formally lifted on Jan. 8, MOFA spokesperson Hsiao Kuangwei (蕭光偉) said.

Hsiao said the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Dubai provided extensive assistance in accordance with local regulations, including accompanying Chen during case clarifications with prosecutors and police, arranging multiple lawyers to help apply for the lifting of travel restrictions, and assisting with medical visits, accommodation, transportation, medication and daily necessities.

Chen and his wife visited the Legislative Yuan on Tuesday to thank Chang and Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜) for their assistance. Chen also expressed gratitude to Taiwan's representative office in Dubai for its support.