A British woman who claims she was raped in a Dubai hotel bathroom and went to report the incident to police has found herself and her fiance arrested for drinking alcohol and having premarital sex.
The 23-year-old had been celebrating her recent engagement to her fiance at the Dubai Marina's luxurious Address Hotel when she was followed into the bathroom by a waiter who allegedly proceeded to rape her while she was semi-conscious.
The next day, after discussing the incident with her fiance, they decided to go to the Dubai police. However, according to reports, the Dubai police were more interested in her sex life prior to the incident and her alcohol consumption. The couple were subsequently arrested. The waiter has argued that the sex was consensual but has still been charged with 'illegal sex'.
The Sun reports that the cellmate of the girl believed the police were stricter with her because she was a Muslim of Pakistani descent:
"She's a British girl but a Muslim, so I think they were tougher on her because of that.
"She was trying to report the rape but soon realized the policemen were more interested in how often she has sex with her boyfriend.
"They even asked if she did just normal sex or anything else in bed."
The Sun also reported an unnamed British Embassy source as saying:
"The police and authorities in Dubai have shamed themselves by yet again displaying a breathtaking lack of compassion and humanity."
The Telegraph received an official statement from the British Foreign Office:
"We can confirm two British nationals were arrested in Dubai on 1 January. Our embassy in Dubai is providing consular assistance and we cannot confirm or release further details about the case"
According to reports the couple have been released but their passports have been confiscated by authorities.