THE Australian woman jailed in Abu Dhabi after being found guilty of “writing bad words on social media” should be deported soon, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop says.

In February, Jodi Magi, 39, posted a picture on Facebook shaming a driver who had parked across two disabled parking spaces in her apartment block.

The post included no identifying details or names, but despite this attracted a police complaint leading to the West Australian woman having to appear in court last month.

Ms Magi says she was found guilty of “writing bad words on social media”, charged under the UAE Cyber Crime Law.

She was issued with a fine amounting to approximately $3,600, and told she would be deported.

But yesterday, when she went to pay the fine, Ms Magi said she was arrested and incarcerated.

“No one’s talking to me, no one’s telling me what’s going on,” she told ABC from the back of a police vehicle.

“I’m pretty scared.”

Ms Bishop told reporters this afternoon that Ms Magi was expected to be deported from the UAE in “a very short time”.

She said Australian consular officials were providing “her and her husband every support we can”.

It is not known how long Ms Magi will be held by Abu Dhabi authorities.

When asked of her understanding of the charges, she said: “I have zero idea. I used the internet.”

“I’m putting my life in the hands of chaos ... I’m terrified,” she said.

The graphic artist, originally from Perth, has been living in Abu Dhabi teaching graphic design to Emirati women since 2012, according to her website.

She describes herself as “an Australian who loves a creative challenge.

On her Facebook page, from which the offending post has apparently been removed, friends have posted messages sending “love and hugs” to the “brave woman”.

Ms Magi said she has appealed to the Australian embassy for help but has had limited assistance.

A spokeswoman from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade told news.com.au they had been providing consular assistance to Ms Magi since May 25 when she was sentenced.

“Consular officials have provided all appropriate consular assistance to Ms Magi, in line with the Consular Services Charter, and have kept in close touch with Ms Magi, her husband and lawyer,” a statement issued by the department read.

In its statement, DFAT said Ms Magi had been custody pending deportation to Australia.

“This is normal practice in Abu Dhabi.”

The department issued a warning to travellers in the UAE that local laws that appear harsh by Australian standards still apply to Australian travellers of residents.

Human rights groups have condemned the arrest. A spokeswoman from Amnesty International told news.com.auit was symptomatic of “the deterioration of the human rights situation in the UAE”, and a broad-ranging crackdown on freedom of expression.

The group also pointed out there were problems for non-Arabic speakers in detention in the UAE.

“We are familiar with the problem of detainees being forced to sign documents in Arabic, leading to convictions on charges they don’t understand and may not have realised they were admitting guilt to.”