Dubai Beach Sex Pair Seek Quickie Trial

British Couple Charged With Having Sex Outside Of Marriage; Face Up To Two Years In Prison

(AP)  A British couple on trial for allegedly having sex on a Dubai beach asked the judge on Tuesday to be allowed to leave the country.

Michelle Palmer and Vince Acors, speaking in low voices, asked the judge for a "quick ruling" that would let them return to Britain. But judge Hamad Abdul Jawad disregarded the request and scheduled another hearing for Sept. 9 to hear testimony from the policeman who arrested the couple.

Palmer, 36, and Acors, 34, were arrested in the early hours July 5 on a Dubai beach after they had been at a hotel party. They were later charged with having sex outside of marriage, public indecency and public drunkenness.

The case has highlighted the strong contrasts in the booming United Arab Emirates, particularly Dubai. The city has a much more freewheeling attitude than other places in the Gulf, with cash flowing from oil and finance and a huge expatriate population. But the case is a reminder that it remains a conservative Arab nation underneath.

Legal experts say the couple could face up to two years in prison if convicted. The case raised a media storm here, and partway through Tuesday's session the judge ordered journalists out of the courtroom.

"I hope they will not get any penalty, God willing," the couple's Dubai-based lawyer, Hassan Matter, told The Associated Press after the session.

He said medical examinations of Palmer after the arrest "prove she did not have sex," though he did not elaborate. He also dismissed one witness who told the court he saw the couple having sex, saying the witness was far away and it was nighttime.

Palmer, a former employee of a Dubai-based publishing firm, told the court during an August session that she and Acors, a tourist visiting Dubai, were "hugging and kissing" but did not have sex.

Public display of affection, such as touching, kissing or hugging, is illegal in Dubai and couples - particularly if not married - can be detained by police for indecency.

In July, a few days after the British couple was detained, Dubai police announced it has arrested 79 people, mostly tourists, for topless sunbathing, nudity and other acts authorities deemed indecent.

[brianbwb-2009]

Sounds like the heaven of the US religious right, no wonder Cheney is moving there.

[czmdm]

The Muslims and Christian Evangelicals should get together. Sounds like a match made in heaven.

[kennedy7955]

and idiots are flocking there to invest their money. Go there at your own peril.

[random_radar]

When in Rome, do as the Romans. If you want to go to Dubai, you follow their rules. If you don''t like their rules, don''t go there. You can''t say "It''s a free country!", cuz it ain''t.

[zorar-2009]

Bristol Pailin in Dubai

[antoniof123]

How many of the 9/11 high jackers came from UAE and Saudia Arabia?

Why didn''t we bomb them back to the beginning of time they were to blame not Iraq.

[mitdgreenb]

Um... does the phrase "get a room" mean anything? Even if the other charges are dropped, I think these folks should face misdemeanor charges of "public stupidity".

[sassalin]

brianbwb,

Your an idiot!

[brianbwb-2009]

"Your an idiot!" Posted by sassalin

Thank you. Your compliment, apparently coming from a right wing supporter of the "blue nose" agenda, is appreciated.

[annia1233]

why would you go to a backward part of the world to be publicly doing something is not nice to do in any part of the world. I really do not enjoy two drunks getting at eachother in a beach. Nasty. they had a room, did they?

[brianbwb-2009]

"We should adopt such a law here in the United States. That will teach those oversexed liberals!" Posted by gop_forever

Actually we do have such laws here, this is why it is amusing to read the neocons'' spin, as they are exactly the same.

We are only lucky that most law enforcement have more important matters that require their attention.

[bks59]

they should stayed in the indoor ski slope!

[sistatee-2009]

They were later charged with having *** outside of marriage, public indecency and public drunkenness.

How come Cheney can go to Dubai, get drunk and fondle little Arab boys and get away with it?

[billpl-2009]

"not in my cab". Posted by AnitaY417

you should have stuck your cab fare to the bottom of your shoe. "...here ya go buddy"

[feedback3-2009]

We should adopt such a law here in the United States. That will teach those oversexed liberals!

Posted by gop_forever at 01:13 PM : Sep 02, 2008
_______________________
Yeah and then we could pass the information along to all the properly sexed conservatives like Bristol Palin. I just hope sanctimonious, self-righteous idiots such as yourself will continue to bless us with your moral fortitude.

[ammermantm]

Posted by AnitaY417 at 01:28 PM : Sep 02, 2008

If I were driving your cab I wouldn''t want to see you kiss your husband either.

[yongamerica]

Don''t you think the Evangelicals that have taken over the Republican party are more of a threat when it comes to imposing religious beliefs into the legal system?

[hermitdave]

WHY on earth would any sane human visit a country that follows a religion even more backward and silly than the Christians. Travel to a Muslim country is like going back in time to the old bible days when life was totally controlled by crazy religious men in silly robes. As you plug your ears with your I-pod thank the secular people of the world. If religious people controlled everything, you would still be whipping a OX around the well in your go aheads.

[blackyowe]

Why would anyone want to go on holiday to any Middle Eastern Country? They have such frightful laws you can''t even legally talk to a man in some of them if you are female. Go someplace welcoming and relaxed for a vacation where the thought police are not everywhere. Maybe in 100 years they will have evolved from their midieval society but for now its no place for any kind of fun that is for sure.

[jetlizhan]

this couple has suffered enough embarrassment - let them go home.

[ammermantm]

this couple has suffered enough embarrassment - let them go home.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by jetlizhan at 02:19 PM : Sep 02, 2008
+ report abuse

But the thing is this couple broke the law of the country they were in. if someone from another country came here broke a law that was not illegal in his country we would still want him to serve the punishment for the crime, would we not?

[dakotaclark]

Hmmm...

I have zero sympathy for these two who allegedly were caught enflagrante delicto by police.

Everyone who travels to that part of the world gets an advance warning about the draconian laws, and the necessity to obey the local customs and laws.

Simply drinking alcohol in many predominately%u2013Muslim nations would be enough to warrant a public beating by a Sharia Gestapo/Sheriff.

She was working for a Dubai company and surely must have known something about the crazy Muslim laws.

By the way, in England there is a move afoot to allow Sharia Law, due to the very high number of Muslims immigrating to England.

The United States needs to come up with very strict laws to deal with Sharia Law adherents. Beatings, honor killings, etc., have no place in our society.

Foreign%u2013born Muslim cab drivers in the U.S. need to realize they are here, not there; and, they must obey our laws and customs, not theirs, regardless of the religious aspects.

[ammermantm]

They come here and try to shove their beliefs and ways down our throats!

Posted by proisrael at 02:24 PM : Sep 02, 2008

none of your examples have been someone trying to shove his beliefs down your throat. one guy was defensive about being Muslim. the other guy was commenting on how dumb America is for watching reality TV. (I have made that comment more than once)

[hunterdon6]

Muslims want to drag down the world to the dark ages. They cannot improve on the world and they are jealous of those who do.

[clarkssuppor]

To be an open society, we have to be open to other peoples beliefs and allow them to integrate into our society.

[charlieot]

...Like the fact that these enemy combatants in Gitmo have the same rights as you and I?...

posted by proisrael at 02:16 PM : Sep 02, 2008

If we don''t grant them those rights our Constitution means nothing

[billpl-2009]

"If I were driving your cab I wouldn''''t want to see you kiss your husband either" Posted by AMMERMANTM

I don''t like that towel wrapped around your head either, but it''s not against the law...neither is kissing someone in public...so deal with it.

[gramto8]

From the headline
British Couple Charged With Having *** Outside Of Marriage; Face Up To Two Years In Prison

The people have no proof that this couple were ''having sexx'' especially as the witness that stated such was dismissed because he was too far away to see and it was too dark for him to have seen anyway. How in the Hades can theyy charge them with having sexx in this case? What a bunch of crapola! More than enough reason to stay away from any country that has Muslim rule.

[tmittelstaed]

They charged them with public *** because this is political posturing - they know perfectly well that the public *** charges will be dropped or plea-bargained down, they just want some of the charges (likely public indecency) to stick. The fact of the matter is that if the 2 were married to other people, that they are not the victims here, their spouses are the victims.

[andor3]

so let me get this straight... sexx or affection in public especially unmarried, is a serious crime. If you are really good you get killed and sent to heaven where 72 virgins await... what are you supposed to do with the virgins exactly?

This is why religious fundamentalists of all flavors must be kept away from government and lawmaking.

[lindh4]

Although we seem to be quick to point out the "advantages" of our secular society, the fact remains that there isn''t a dimes'' worth of difference between Moslem Fundies and Christian Fundies. Given the opportunity to escape justice, that Christian fundamentalist would kill you for violating its superstitions just as quickly as any other religious crackpot.

[xmanborg]

Well Dubai wants to be so Pro Western and be in the 21st century and welcome Wester People and then when Western People do things that Western and European People do then Dubai hids behind the conservative Arab morals and values.

Fyi Dubai, time to grow up.

[xmanborg]

If Dubai wants to hid behind conservative Arab morals and values then England, France, Germany and the United States should not allow Arab and Muslum people to wear head scarves and cover up.

Its not our Custom and if you live in the USA you need to Conform. Fair is Fair.

[crescentgirl]

XmanBorg, The U.S. also has laws against public nudity and explicit acts in public. It would not be tolerated here either. The people that were caught in this behavior were not thinking clearly because they were drunk.

As far as your comment: "If Dubai wants to hid behind conservative Arab morals and values then England, France, Germany and the United States should not allow Arab and Muslum people to wear head scarves and cover up"

I can''t speak about other countries...but, in the United States, which is where i live...the constitution guarantees freedom of religion. Therefore, if our country guarantees that right to its people, then, we as a country should uphold that right. France, by taking away the right of Muslim school girls to wear a scarf (hijab) to school has taken away a basic human and fundamental right from these girls to practice their religion as they see fit. They are French citizens...many of them being born and raised in that country. How can a country betray its own citizens? I just hope and pray that our country, the U.S., is not swept away in the same xenophobia. And I hope yours is an opinion that occurs in the minority. God Bless.

[ammermantm]

XmanBorg, The U.S. also has laws against public nudity and explicit acts in public. It would not be tolerated here either. The people that were caught in this behavior were not thinking clearly because they were drunk.

As far as your comment: "If Dubai wants to hid behind conservative Arab morals and values then England, France, Germany and the United States should not allow Arab and Muslum people to wear head scarves and cover up"

I can''''t speak about other countries...but, in the United States, which is where i live...the constitution guarantees freedom of religion. Therefore, if our country guarantees that right to its people, then, we as a country should uphold that right. France, by taking away the right of Muslim school girls to wear a scarf (hijab) to school has taken away a basic human and fundamental right from these girls to practice their religion as they see fit. They are French citizens...many of them being born and raised in that country. How can a country betray its own citizens? I just hope and pray that our country, the U.S., is not swept away in the same xenophobia. And I hope yours is an opinion that occurs in the minority. God Bless.

Posted by crescentgirl at 04:40 PM : Sep 02, 2008
+ report abuse

That is a hope I share with you.

[sistatee-2009]

f you are really good you get killed and sent to heaven where 72 virgins await..
Posted by andor3 at 04:09 PM : Sep 02, 2008

Seventy-three now...inflation.

[fibonacci_89]

Having *** outside of marriage? Can Muslims get any more sick?

You Christian heads are not much better either.

[scottyusa]

Dubai or any other middle east country should not be holding foreigners for not abiding by islamic laws or any other religious laws. Rediculous.

[andor3]

"The U.S. also has laws against public nudity and explicit acts in public. It would not be tolerated here either."

It happens all the time. It is tolerated here--it is part of the American tradition and courtship. We are talking about public display of affection--there is no credible evidence more happened here. Kissing on a beach after a party, something like that.

[scottyusa]

The 72 virgins thing is really funny. Is that really preached? ROFLMAO. They forgot to mention that the martyr becomes a eunic when he enters heaven. That is how they get all the virgins for all those martyrs. They use the same ones over and over. And if it is not specified that they will be YOUNG virgins......

[walkshe]

AMMERMANTM, you''re forgetting about seperation of church and state. Our U.S. schools are now making children remove jewelry with a cross on it. We''ve become so politically correct not wanting to offend anyone that we''ve moved way past the balancing point and are heavily loaded in the opposite direction. The world in general takes everything too seriously....lighten up.

[downtowner97]

Morality is a dangerous tool in the hands of a government. It''s for us, after all, and not for them.

[rudy654-2009]

And yet all these rich people, including Cheney, want to move there.

[rudy654-2009]

In Germany nobody in public schools, whether teachers or students, are allowed to wear religious articles or clothing. It has been a sore point with Muslims who insist their girls wear a burka. But for that matter it applies across the board to all religious articles, even Christian crosses.

[beehive21-2009]

We know the Catholics suck,the Earth is flat ,the Earth is the center of the Universe.Wonder if that policeman was looking up her dress and for how long ? before he arrested em ? These are the same, Bush wanted to sell are Ports too ? The Religions cops are perverts and Dubai has crossed the line ,so , boycott Dubai. The Government of Dubai owns Casinos in Las Vegas, the girls in the shows, give you a eye full,ironic ? Let them go, an mind your own business.

[beehive21-2009]

Furthermore,Dubai is 80 % foreigners ,next page,take it over,revolt, throw the Muslims out,if they can not behave. Wonderful. The future looks bright for Dubai .

[patriotic9]

"The U.S. also has laws against public nudity and explicit acts in public. It would not be tolerated here either."

It happens all the time. It is tolerated here--it is part of the American tradition and courtship. We are talking about public display of affection--there is no credible evidence more happened here. Kissing on a beach after a party, something like that.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by andor3 at 05:28 PM : Sep 02, 2008

The worst thing about these laws is that they are Gender-based discrimination, which is violation of human rights.

In our state, it is legally allowed for a man to jog on the street completely TOPLESS. If a woman committs same action, she may be prosecuted in the name of INDECENT EXPOSURE. The same action totally decent for a man because of being a man is considered so indecent for a woman, just because of being a woman, that she may be thrown into jail.

[kansas1946]

These nutty Arabs. They want to open their countries up with gambling, tourism, etc., for the money, but then want to act like they are above any purient concerns. Why would ANYONE go there to vacation?????

[kansas1946]

AMMERMANTM, you''''re forgetting about seperation of church and state. Our U.S. schools are now making children remove jewelry with a cross on it. We''''ve become so politically correct not wanting to offend anyone that we''''ve moved way past the balancing point and are heavily loaded in the opposite direction. The world in general takes everything too seriously....lighten up.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by walkshe at 05:34 PM : Sep 02, 2008
+ report abuse
*********************************

I agree. Although I am not religious and strongly support separation, I think any child should be able to wear a religious symbol. That child has no power over anyone and is not setting policy. I don''t give a p o o p if someone is offended. I am tired of trying, by law, to prevent anyone from being offended. If you are offended by something, get away from it.

[CBSTV]

This is yet another reason for the civilized world to keep away from the Middle East. These countries have Medieval laws that include depraved practices such as beheadings.