Woman reports rape in Dubai, but is then arrested for illegal sex
By Nick Parker
NewsCore
January 08, 2010
A BRITISH woman on holiday in Dubai reportedly went to police after being raped - but was arrested for having llegal sex.
The 23-year-old Londoner says she was attacked by a waiter in a hotel toilet after celebrating her engagement to her boyfriend,
The Sun reports
But after she admitted drinking alcohol and sharing a hotel room with her fiancé, police in the strict Islamic state arrested her for "illegal drinking" outside licensed premises and having sex outside marriage. Her 44-year-old
fiancé, also from London, was charged with the same offences. And both were thrown in police cells by officers who paid little heed to the rape.
The devastated couple are understood to be on bail awaiting trial and have had their passports confiscated. They could be jailed for up to six years if found guilty of the illicit sex charge.
British embassy officials in the desert emirate are helping them.
A diplomatic source said: "There have been some truly appalling injustices in Dubai but this one tops the lot.
"A desperate, distressed rape victim went with her boyfriend to report the attack to police. And both wound up behind bars.
"The police and authorities in Dubai have shamed themselves by yet again displaying a breathtaking lack of compassion and humanity."
The ordeal of the rape victim, a Muslim of Pakistani descent, began after she joyfully accepted a marriage proposal from her boyfriend during a three-day New Year break. She admitted drinking too much as they celebrated at Dubai
Marina's luxurious Address Hotel - and passed out in a ladies' toilet. The waiter is said to have followed her into the toilets and raped her while she was semi-conscious.
Her fiancé was initially unaware of the attack and helped her to their room, where they slept until the next day. But the horror of the rape came back to her when she woke - and the pair went to Jebel Ali police station to report it.
Her attacker, who is understood to be Syrian, is believed to have denied rape. He claimed the Briton consented but has also been charged with "illegal sex".
A spokesman for the Address Hotel said: "The matter is being investigated by the authorities."
No comments:
Post a Comment