British Woman Jailed for Adultery in Dubai

A British mother jailed for adultery in Dubai has lost a second appeal and will stay in prison.

Marnie Pearce, 40, hoped to be freed but will have to serve the rest of a three month term. It had been reduced from six months at her first appeal.

She will be deported on her release and fears she will lose custody of her two young children.

Ms Pearce says her ex-husband accused her of adultery to gain custody of their two children, a claim he denies.

In a posting on her campaign website, her supporters said: "It is with great sadness that Team Marnie have to announce that the verdict will remain the same and Marnie will have to serve her time and, for now, be deported.

"We will continue to apply pressure to have the deportation order lifted, and thank everyone for their continued support."

Ms Pearce, who is originally from Bracknell, Berkshire, denies the adultery claims made by her ex-husband, Egyptian national Ihab El-Labban.

They had two children together, aged four and seven.

She first met her former husband in Oman and married him in the Seychelles in September 1999.

They moved to Dubai but the relationship eventually broke down.

In March last year she was arrested and accused of committing adultery with a British man, who she insists was only a friend, and convicted in November.

Neil Durkin, spokesman for Amnesty International, said: "I know the Foreign Office is working on the case but what we can do remains to be seen, it is difficult."

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/uk_news/england/berkshire/7945543.stm

Published: 2009/03/16 13:36:41 GMT