SHARJAH // Nine men and two sisters have been jailed over a lewd wedding video shot in the eastern region of Sharjah.
The men, including Khalid Houria, were sentenced to one year in jail on Thursday by Khor Fakkan Court of Misdemeanours, while the sisters were sentenced to six months in prison each and a minor was sent to a juvenile centre.
Footage of the incident, which allegedly shows a number of individuals taking part in lewd acts, circulated on social media in March, prompting outrage among some residents of the conservative northern emirate.
A letter from Sheikh Sultan Al Qasimi, the ruler of Sharjah, was broadcast on radio in March ordering the emirate’s police to launch an investigation.
A man who had been on the run after being accused of indecent assault because he featured prominently in the video has turned himself in.
According to Al Ittihad, The National’s sister publication, Houria was arrested at Sharjah International Airport on-board an Air Arabia flight that had arrived from Oman last month.
He had informed authorities that he would be arriving at the airport and after being arrested he was referred to prosecutors.
When questioned on the charges of sexual assault, Houria said he was present at the wedding with the other guests and denied assaulting one of the women, A A H.
He argued that the dances featured in the video are legal but was found guilty and will be jailed.
tzriqat@thenational.ae
