DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — A US woman has appeared in court for allegedly insulting the United Arab Emirates in public while waiting for a taxi at the Abu Dhabi International Airport.

The National, a state-owned newspaper in the Emirati capital of Abu Dhabi, says the 25-year-old woman appeared Monday in the Federal Supreme Court.

The newspaper says the woman, whom it did not identify, told the court she’s been jailed since Feb. 23. It quoted her as saying two men approached her at the airport and that she “refused to engage with them and nothing happened.” The report did not say if evidence was presented against her.

The US Embassy in Abu Dhabi did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

While liberal on some issues, the UAE has strict laws governing expression.