Dubai frees Norwegian rape-case woman
A Norwegian woman at the centre of a Dubai rape case dispute has been pardoned and is free to leave Dubai, she has said.
Interior designer Marta Deborah Dalelv, 24, was on a business trip in Dubai when she says she was raped in March.
She reported the attack to the police, but was charged with perjury, having extramarital sex and drinking alcohol, receiving a 16-month prison sentence.
The case has angered rights groups and the Norwegian authorities.
The BBC’s Simon Atkinson in Dubai said the fact Ms Dalelv’s pardon came within days of an international outcry – and was reportedly ordered personally by Dubai’s ruler – is a recognition of how badly this case has reflected on the Gulf state.
"This is an emirate that doesn’t have much oil – instead, tourism is at the centre of its economy. It clocked up 10 million visitors last year and wants to double that by 2020.
"And while it sticks by the strict Islamic laws that govern the UAE, Dubai knows that these negative headlines do it no favours. It will be hoping this swift action will limit the damage to its reputation."
Atkinson added that the pardoning also of Ms Dalelv’s alleged rapist as part of the deal which allows her to return to Norway – "is already causing a backlash on social media".
Ms Dalelv told the BBC she found out she was to be freed on Monday during a meeting with public prosecutors.
“We came in and we sat down and they told us ‘You’ve been pardoned’. It’s from the ruler of Dubai. It’s from him personally. It just feels unbelievable – it’s a very, very good day.”
Ian Jarrett
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