Dubai 'kissing couple' awaits appeal verdict

Dubai ‘kissing couple’ awaits appeal verdict

British pair face one month in prison and deportation is appeal is unsuccessful.

March 14, 2010 10:09 by kippreport

A British couple accused of kissing in public in Dubai will find out on April 4 if their appeal against a one-month prison sentence has been successful.

The couple is accused of “committing a sexual act (by) kissing on the lips and touching,” lawyer Khalaf al-Hosani told AFP. “A final verdict will be reached on April 4,” he added.

The pair were arrested in November, after an Emirati woman accused them of kissing in a restaurant in the Jumeirah Beach Residence neighbourhood.

Tags: Dubai, sex case

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11 Comments

C. Rush on March 15, 2010 5:51 am

Good heavens, how much more bad publicity does Dubai need?? Tourist will think twice now spending their holidays in Dubai.
Miss Anne Thropic on March 15, 2010 8:49 am

The double standards are insane. There are prostitutes working in UAE bars and you can bet the sex they have to have is not consensual nor do they have valid visas. But a couple spotted kissing, maybe on the lips, maybe on the cheek, who really cares, face jail? And this happened around 2am when the Emirati mother should have had her kids home in bed. Ridiculous.
blue spinach on March 15, 2010 9:09 am

Billions of dollars developing an airline.. a city that has been built to cater for tourists and tourism.. has Dubai once again shot itself in the foot by arresting tourists for …’kissing’….
OFiroz on March 15, 2010 10:18 am

What was the problem with that Emarati woman? Is kissing in public so bad? smooching may cause few eyebrows to rise, but just kissing and touching?!!
SR on March 15, 2010 2:36 pm

Yayyy the Brits do it again…….!
Josef Tool on March 15, 2010 3:23 pm

The fact the emarati woman complained is one ridiculous thing… the other issue this that the Dubai courts took this further as well is just stupid!

Dubai, tacky one day; hypocritical the next day (Actually everyday)
RPE on March 16, 2010 9:03 am

I got wasted at the club met a girl and we were kissing all over each other in public its just that we did it at 4 am.

Most of the Emiratis I’ve met are awesome, and even the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid fellow – who I heard speaking in an interview, is a very cool, down the line kind of guy.
But then the country is not very old and there are indeed some growing pains, the balance of east meets west will take some time, as some emiratis are particularly offended by these kind of things.
It’s weird I know but if you just go about your business mindful of your surroundings you’ll be fine.
Syed Tanveer Hussain on March 17, 2010 9:53 pm

All those objecting the action against the couple ignore one thing…the indecent act in public…..all should realise Dubai is not London…
Miss Anne Thropic on March 18, 2010 3:01 pm

It’s all well and good to have laws against kissing in public. It is pretty distasteful to see people snogging in a restaurant.

But the real issues are that the punishment is out of proportion to the crime and the ridiculous double standards that allow people to face jail for a minor crime while women are trafficked into the UAE to work as prostitutes and women who have babies out of wedlock are forced to abandon their children so they don’t face adultery charges.
Andrew on March 18, 2010 3:38 pm

Double standards are the bedrock of this country’s rapid progress. Can’t say I’m all that surprised.
superone on April 4, 2010 10:38 pm

the thing is its the law, y break it………
in england if u smoke in public places u will get fined aint tht stupid?????
its a law and so it must be followed.