UK Woman Tourist 'Gang-Raped' in Dubai, But Now Charged With Having 'Extra-Marital Sex'

By Raizel Albano
A British woman allegedly raped by two men from the UK faces jail in Dubai (file picture) after police accused her of having sex outside marriage
A rape victim faces charges in Dubai (file picture) after being charged of having sex outside marriage. Getty Images

A 25-year old British woman tourist has been raped by two fellow Britons, but she is now facing charges in Dubai for having "extra-marital sex."

She went to Dubai last October for a five-day holiday when she was attacked by two men. She readily went to the police to report the case.

But to the IT consultant's surprise, she was charged and jailed for having "extra-marital sex." In a Facebook post, she says "it is petrifying being out here alone but I have to stay strong and positive because otherwise they will win and I will not let this happen."

She needs around $30,000 for legal fees; otherwise she will be facing a long jail sentence given the strict sex laws in the United Arab Emirates where it is highly illegal to be having sex outside marriage.

While currently waiting for trial, she is staying with a British family who has volunteered to take care of her. The two attackers, however, are now believed to be back in Birmingham.

On the day of the attack, it was said that she met the two guys in the hotel where they were all staying, and they invited her to come to their room. They then raped her while filming the entire attack. On that same day the two men flew back to the UK.

Her passport and other travel documents were seized by the police, and she has to stand for trial on UAE's grounds. A friend confirmed that the victim's passport was confiscated. She also adds, airing her disappointment, "She went to the police as the victim of one of the worst ordeals imaginable but she is being treated as the criminal."

The UK Embassy in the United Arab Emirates has already been contacted and said they will take all the necessary action needed to intervene.

However, the victim's parents are worried because they feel like nothing much is being done for the case. Her mother says, "As far as I'm aware West Midlands Police aren't doing anything." And her father adds that, "We haven't been getting help anywhere."

This case is not the first of its kind when back in 2013, a Norwegian woman was raped by a colleague and then charged for having "extra-marital sex." She was then put in jail for 16 months and on through serving her sentence, she was later pardoned and allowed to go back to her home country. 

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.

Top Stories