A Norwegian women who was jailed for having extramarital sex after she reported being raped to authorities in the Gulf Arab Kingdom of Dubai has been freed, ending a case that has aroused anger in Norway and among women’s rights groups.
Interior designer Marte Deborah Dalelv was on a business trip in Dubai in March when she said she was raped, the BBC reported.
She reported the attack to the police, but was charged with perjury, having extramarital sex and drinking alcohol. Last week, she was convicted and sentenced to 16 months in prison.
Her attacker, she said, received a 13-month sentence for extramarital sex and alcohol consumption.
On Monday, Norway’s Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide tweeted: “Marte is released! Thanks to everyone who signed up to help,” the BBC reported
The Norwegian government said it had been in daily contact with the Dubai authorities through diplomatic and official channels since Ms Dalelv was sentenced — arguing the jail term represented a human rights violation.
According to the Emirates Centre for Human Rights, UAE law makes a confession or eyewitness testimony from four adult male witnesses the evidentiary minimum to secure a rape conviction.
• Shaun Waterman can be reached at swaterman@washingtontimes.com.
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