A Dubai Police spokesperson categorically denied allegations that an American woman was arrested for "yelling" in public.

In a statement issued to Khaleej Times on Saturday, the authorities said the claims in some media stories "present a completely distorted picture of the case".

It wasn't just a case of screaming. According to the statement, the Dubai Police received a complaint from a car rental office. This complaint accused the woman of "slandering and defaming an employee amidst a dispute over car rental fees".

UAE law punishes defamation with heavy fines and jail time. According to the law, "publicly attributing statements to another person which may expose him to contempt of others" can get one fined Dh20,000 and jailed for up to two years.

In accordance with Dubai Police's statement released through the Dubai Media Office, legal proceedings between the woman and the car rental company are still ongoing.

"An individual was questioned according to legal procedures and subsequently released pending the resolution of ongoing legal proceedings," the statement said.