Abu dhabi: A Taiwanese man who was wrongly detained while transiting through Abu Dhabi International Airport on November 24 has returned to Taiwan on January 17, announced the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on Tuesday. The man, a resident of Yunlin County and identified by his surname Chen, was traveling with his wife, surnamed Yang, when the incident occurred. Yang promptly reported the detention to Taiwan's representative office in Dubai, which handles affairs related to the United Arab Emirates.

According to Focus Taiwan, Kuomintang Legislator Chang Chia-chun revealed that Chen was mistakenly identified as a wanted fugitive by a local artificial intelligence system. Authorities later confirmed that Chen was not involved in any criminal activity and released him on November 28. Despite his release, Chen was unable to travel immediately due to delays in lifting his travel restrictions, as he needed to fulfill police reporting procedures that were postponed because of a national holiday in the UAE.

MOFA spokesperson Hsiao Kuangwei stated that Chen's travel restriction was officially lifted on January 8. The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Dubai played a crucial role in assisting Chen throughout the ordeal. The office supported him by clarifying the case with prosecutors and police, arranging legal assistance for lifting travel restrictions, and providing help with medical visits, accommodation, transportation, medication, and daily necessities.

On Tuesday, Chen and his wife visited the Legislative Yuan to express their gratitude to Legislator Chang and Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu for their support. Chen also conveyed his appreciation for the assistance provided by Taiwan's representative office in Dubai.