Simple coins, actually intended as a tip for waiters, recently proved fatal for an Upper Austrian on holiday in Egypt. Because of the more valuable change, he spent his vacation in Hurghada prison.
When someone goes on a trip, he is sometimes arrested. It is an incredible story that Robert M. from Upper Austria tells the “Krone”. His name, age, place of residence: Robert, whose details have been changed, does not want to read all this in the newspaper. The shock of what happened to the Mühlviertler on holiday in October is too great.
Tips for the Nile Cruise
On October 14, he and his girlfriend boarded a plane in Vienna, the 37-year-old said. Goal: a Nile cruise through Egypt. But the holiday turned into a horror trip faster than expected. His luggage was checked at the airport of the holiday city of Hurghada. Robert said he had 40 to 50 Egyptian coins. As a tip for the waiters, since he pays for everything by card, he says.
Holiday turned into a horror trip
His bad luck: the coins were said to be valuable. M. was separated from his girlfriend, locked in a small room and had to sign handwritten papers. And was put in a cell near the airport. The accusation: he deals in collectibles.
“It was a horror,” says M., describing the conditions in the prison. Concrete floor, cockroaches, eleven prisoners. A drop in the bucket: “At least I was able to talk to a Dutchman who had been in prison for ten years for drug smuggling and a Cuban.”
Eleven prisoners, no hygiene products
The Upper Austrian spent a total of eleven days in the cramped prison because of his ‘crime’. No one wanted to talk to him and he was only given hygiene products or replacement clothing when his wife was allowed to bring him something. Robert M. only found out on the eve of deportation that he had to leave the country.
“Collectibles” disappeared
From prison we went – “unwashed”, as M. emphasizes – straight to the deportation plane. Now M. is just happy to be back in Austria. However, he no longer wants to go to Egypt for the rest of his life. Besides, the coins are all gone. According to the police, the “valuable collectibles” would go to the museum. At least that’s what it said…
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
