A group of models and a male Russian photographer have been arrested after taking part in a naked photoshoot in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.
The arrests by Emirate authorities came after pictures of the shoot appeared online and the hotel in which the women posed was tracked down. In the image, widely shared, the women are naked and looking over a hotel balcony.
Eleven women and a man, by the name of Alexey Konstov, have been arrested in total. All of the women are thought to come from former Soviet countries, including Ukraine, Moldova and Belarus. They have been charged with public debauchery.
If convicted, they all face up to six months in prison and a fine of $1,500 each.
A statement from the Dubai police said:
"Such unacceptable behaviours do not reflect the values and ethics of Emirati society."
They also released a strict warning against pornographic materials and behaviour which violates the decency laws of the Arab kingdom, which is ruled by strict Sharia Islamic law.
According to a source who spoke to a Russian media outlet, it was stated:
"According to the latest data received from the police of the Emirates, there are no Russian women among the detained. A Russian man was detained. According to the police, they suspect him of being one of those who sponsored the entire event."
Some have suggested that the group planned to get arrested as part of a publicity stunt.
A large number of tourists and visitors to Dubai have been arrested in the past for violating the country's strict laws. Among those things outlawed are showing affection in public, such as holding hands, drinking alcohol in a non-designated area, wearing revealing clothing, and even using words that are insensitive or offensive. All sexual relations outside of marriage are illegal and homosexuality is punishable by death.
Many Western websites, including all X-rated content, are banned in the UAE in order to maintain public decency.
An English woman, Laleh Shahravesh, is currently facing imprisonment for calling her husband 'an idiot' online when in the UAE, and US fitness professional Jordan Branford was given a £60,000 fine in the UAE for using the word 'bitch’ on an online post while he was in the country.
[h/t: The Mind Unleashed]
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