'Kissing' woman hits at Dubai 'hypocrisy'

Published on Sunday 9 May 2010 21:37

A BRITISH woman jailed for kissing a man in public in Dubai yesterday spoke of the "hypocrisy" of the emirate's strict decency laws.

Charlotte Adams was arrested with Ayman Najafi last November after a local woman complained they had been seen kissing on the mouth in a restaurant.

Ms Adams, an estate agent, and Mr Najafi insisted they had given each other only a peck on the cheek but were sentenced to a month in prison by a Dubai court last month.

The 26-year-old, from Mersea Island, Essex, served 23 days and was freed on Friday and deported.

Mr Najafi, a management consultant from north London who has lived in Dubai for 18 months, is said to be continuing his fight against the conviction after being backed by his employers.

Ms Adams spoke of her relief at being reunited with her family, including twin brother Christopher and sister Emma, 20. She said: "It is such a relief. I've thought of nothing else for the last few months.

"I love Dubai and it makes me sad that I'll never come back, although I think I'd struggle to ever feel free here again.

"The laws need to evolve to match the culture here. At the moment, it's all just hypocrisy."

She said hotels in Dubai regularly offer free alcohol, particularly to women, though drinking in public is still officially illegal in the Gulf state.

"Everyone gets so drunk they forget where they are, particularly the Westerners, which is when their behaviour can become dangerous legally."

The British Embassy issued a formal "don't-do" list on its website, warning against drinking and kissing or holding in hands in public in Dubai. It tells holiday-makers and expats: "If you want to face possible arrest and imprisonment, ignore the advice."

In 2008, two Britons accused of having sex on the beach were sentenced to three months in jail, although their sentences were later suspended.