In Febuary, Jodi Magi, 39, posted a picture on Facebook shaming a driver who had parked across two disabled parking spaces near her apartment in Abu Dhabi.
The post, which included no identifying details or names, attracted a police complaint leading to the West Australian woman having to appear in court last month, according to The New York Daily News.
Magi was found guilty of "writing bad words on social media," charged under the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Cyber Crime Law. She was also issued a fine of about $3,600 and told she would be deported.
However, when she went to pay the fine, she was arrested and detained by officials.
"They were about to put me in the male lock-up and then they turned me away and no one knows what to do with me," Magi told the ABC, according to Al Jazeera. "No one is talking to me. No one is telling me what is going on. I've been driving around for literally about four hours."
It is not known how long Magi will be held by Abu Dhabi authorities.
The photo in question depicted a vehicle, without any disabled stickers, blocking two car spots reserved for those with disabilities. It has been removed from Facebook.
A spokeswoman from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) told News.Com.AU they had been providing consular assistance to Magi since May 25, when she was sentenced.
The department issued a warning to travellers in the UAE that local laws that appear harsh by Australian standards still apply to Australian travellers of residents.
When asked of her understanding of the charges, Magi said "I have zero idea. I used the Internet."
"I'm putting my life in the hands of chaos ... I'm terrified," she said.
