Britons face jail in Dubai on kiss20: 25 14/03/2010, Karen McVeigh, Dubai, guardian.co.uk, news, UAE, international news, Guardian Unlimited

Britons face jail in Dubai on kiss20: 25 14/03/2010, Karen McVeigh, Dubai, guardian.co.uk, news, UAE, international news, Guardian Unlimited

Par currently on bail but could face up to one month in prison after being accused of kissing in public by a mother

Two Britons accused of kissing in public in Dubai compared to one month in prison after a mother complained her child had seen.

Ayman Najafi, 24, of Palmers Green, and a friend named by the Sun as a tourist Charlotte Lewis, 25, appealed in a court in Dubai today, but will have to wait three weeks to know if they have been successful.

Najafi, who has lived in Dubai for the last 18 months, and Lewis were arrested last November and accused of kissing, touching each other intimately and alcohol consumption.

The couple, currently on bail, was also fined 1,000 dirhams (£ 178) for illegal consumption of alcohol, the lawyer said. Their passports were confiscated and they should be deported after completing his prison sentence.

A lawyer for the couple said there had been inadequate and the couple kissing were just friends. "There was kissing her lips. It was a normal greeting is not considered offensive," Khalaf al-Hosani told AFP, adding the evidence was contradictory.

A verdict is expected on April 4.

Mother Najafi, Maida, said he had not slept or eaten in two days after hearing the news, but insisted his son was a "good behavior, decent Muslims", who knew the rules in the emirate.

From her home in Palmers Green, said: "I'm still waiting for news. When he told me yesterday he was shattered, exhausted and confused. He said, 'Do not worry about me, I'm fine'."

He said his eldest son, who was due home for his birthday in a couple of weeks, had pledged to clear his name.

"I have not slept or eaten in two days, but I know it's a strong man is difficult.'s A fighter and he will do well.

"He is not a strict Muslim, but a decent Muslim and knows the rules of there." He said his son had a girlfriend and she was unaware her co-accused.

Dubai Misdemeanors Court reportedly heard testimony from a mother who complained to the police. She said she was offended by the behavior of the couple's residence in Jumeirah Beach, where she was dining with his daughter.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "A British citizen was arrested in Dubai on November 27 for assistance. Consular was provided at the time."

The case is the third in less than two years in which the British have fallen foul of the laws of decency in Dubai. In Dubai's foreign population expanding, now exceeds that of nationals of the Emirates, has raised concerns that the pace of change is threatening the social and religious identity of the conservative region.

In 2008, a British couple narrowly escaped prison after being convicted of participating in sexual activity outside marriage and drunk in public. This year, a British couple who shared a hotel room in Dubai escaped trial for having sex outside marriage, by filing a certificate of marriage.

Dubai
United Arab Emirates
Karen McVeigh


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