Supermodel to prisoner, Ayyan Ali held in notorious Pakistan jail

For the past two weeks Adiala jail in Rawalpindi (Pakistan) that houses 4500 prisoners, has a star prisoner as 23-year-old Pakistani supermodel Ayyan Ali.

On 14 March, Ayyan Ali was detained at Islamabad airport on charges of money laundering.

Based in Dubai, she has been one of the most famous models at Pakistan Fashion Week and face of various brands in the country.

Reuters

Police recovered $500,000 in her suitcase, whereas the legal limit of cash that can be carried out of the country is $10,000.

According to thenews.com.pk, currency notes were seized during the checking of Ayyan Ali's luggage when she was about to leave for Dubai.

The model denies the charge and says the money was acquired legitimately from the proceeds of property sales and that she was unaware of these customs rules.

She has been denied bail and faces more time in Adiala jail to the outrage of her lawyer.

Reuters

Ali's lawyers say she had yet to check in and was going to hand the money over to her brother before flying

If convicted of smuggling the money out of Pakistan, Ali might have to pay a heavy fine and face a 14-year jail term.

One newspaper report suggested she was given a well-furnished room with a TV set, refrigerator, wore a new dress daily and was allowed a special kind of mobile phone that could bypass the prison's jammers.

Facebook: Ayyan

Officials there have denied claims she is receiving special privileges because of her celebrity status Officials there have denied claims she is receiving special privileges because of her celebrity status with one officer saying private cells are only made available for government officials and the 'highly educated'.

A BBC reports says, Ali is living in a block with 10 other female prisoners and was allowed to see her family members twice a week, according to jail rules.

In an article Daily Mail reports that Pakistan's fashion circle is abuzz with Ayyan's story and many feel she has been victimised.

Pakistan's fashion world think she was manipulated into carrying the money.

Till further court hearing Pakistan's supermodel languishes in jail with inmates who had been involved in crimes such as drug smuggling, even murder.