Dubai police arrest group over ‘lewd’ video of bare girls

Police in Dubai arrested a bunch of individuals on fees of public debauchery, authorities stated, over a extensively shared video that confirmed bare girls posing on a balcony within the metropolis.
Violations of the general public decency legislation within the United Arab Emirates, together with for nudity and different “lewd behaviour”, carry penalties of as much as six months in jail and a 5,000 dirham ($1,360) fantastic. The sharing of pornographic materials can also be punishable with jail time and hefty fines beneath the nation’s legal guidelines, that are primarily based on Islamic legislation, or Shariah.
Late on Saturday, movies and pictures depicting over a dozen bare girls, lined up on a balcony whereas being filmed in Dubai’s upscale Marina neighbourhood in broad daylight, splashed throughout social media.

It got here as a shock within the federation of seven Arab sheikhdoms, the place tamer behaviour, like kissing in public or consuming alcohol and not using a licence, has landed individuals in jail. State-linked newspaper The National reported it gave the impression to be a “publicity stunt,” with out elaborating.
Dubai police stated these arrested over the “indecent” video had been referred to the general public prosecution.
“Such unacceptable behaviours,” the police assertion stated, “do not reflect the values and ethics of Emirati society.”
The UAE, whereas liberal in lots of regards in comparison with its Middle Eastern neighbours, has strict legal guidelines governing expression. People have been jailed for his or her feedback and movies on-line. The nation’s majority state-owned telecom firms block entry to main pornographic web sites.