Norwegian Woman ‘Nervous, Tense’ as she Risks UAE Jail

AFP
July 19, 2013

Norwegian businesswoman Marte Deborah Dalelv
Norwegian businesswoman Marte Deborah Dalelv

 

A Norwegian woman told AFP Friday that she was “nervous and tense” as she risked 16 months in jail after she reported being raped by a coworker in the United Arab Emirates.

Marte Dalelv, 24, said she remained hopeful that she would succeed in an appeal against the ruling by a Dubai court that convicted her this week of extramarital sex, perjury and consuming alcohol without a licence.

“I am very nervous and tense. But I hope for the best and I take one day at a time. I just have to get through this,” she told AFP by telephone from Dubai.

Calling the sentence “very harsh”, she said she immediately filed an appeal, adding a new hearing is scheduled September 5.

Dalelv reported the rape to police in the United Arab Emirates in March this year and was immediately detained, being released four days later with the assistance of Norwegian diplomats.

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