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Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort in UAE, where Gali worked as a salon manager and claims she was assaulted in 2008. Imre Solt via Wikimedia Commons via Creative Commons
UAE
Woman suing Australian govt over rape advice after being imprisoned in UAE for adultery
The woman, who accused three co-workers of rape, says her government should have warned her that making accusations of rape in the UAE could leave her open to being charged with adultery.
A WOMAN FROM Brisbane, Australia, is attempting to sue her government after Australian diplomats allegedly failed to warn her that bringing rape complaints to the police in the United Arab Emirates could see her being charged herself.
Alicia Gali, 29, claims she was drugged and raped by three or four co-workers in June 2008 at the luxury UAE resort where she worked as a beauty salon manager.
Gali claims that she sought the advice of a consular official in Dubai before approaching the police with her complaints, the Courier Mail reports. She says she was warned that if drugs were found in her system, she could face in prison, however she says she was not told that rape accusations could lead to her being prosecuted for adultery.
The AFP reports that she spent eight months in prison after being convicted of adultery when it emerged that some of the men she complained about were married. She was also convicted of drinking alcohol without a permit.
Gali’s lawyers in Australia are seeking leave to sue the government, having already secured permission to launch legal action against the hotel’s owners and management for failing to protect their employee. That case is expected to be heard in Australia.
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