KEY POINTS:
The mother of a Christchurch woman arrested in Dubai for possession of 0.2 grams of cannabis is confident she will be released.
Sahem Ayad, mother of 21-year-old Mariam Shafeek, left last night for Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates.
"Mariam went to see the prosecutor. She has met him twice now. They are now sure she is innocent," Ms Ayad told The Press newspaper.
The Christchurch student faces four years in prison if convicted.
Ms Shafeek was arrested while on her way back to New Zealand from visiting relatives in Cairo.
Ms Shafeek's father, Yusef Shafeek Shenouda, who had been travelling with her, secured a lawyer before continuing his journey back to Christchurch.
He said his daughter was scared and upset after her arrest, and his contact with her had been limited to 10-minute sessions.
A Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokeswoman said the New Zealand Consulate in Dubai would continue to support Shafeek.
Shafeek, a Christchurch student, has lived in New Zealand for 10 years with her two brothers and her parents, who are now separated.
- NZPA
