Singaporeans convicted of cross-dressing in Abu Dhabi have jail term reduced to $3,690 fine
Two Singaporean men who were sentenced to one year's jail in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) for wearing women's clothing and sporting a feminine appearance had their punishment reduced to a fine on Aug 28.
According to The National, fashion photographer Muhammad Fadli Abdul Rahman, 26, and Nur Qistina Fitriah Ibrahim, 37 had their charges reduced to a fine of Dh10,000 ($3,690) each and deportation for them both.
Cross-dressing, homosexuality and transgender behaviour are crimes in the UAE.
In a previous Stomp report, they were arrested on Aug 9 at a shopping mall for wearing women's clothes in public and for behaving indecently, according to court documents.
Nur Qistina is a transgender woman who has legally changed her name but has not yet undergone a sex-change operation.
Fadli Rahman arrived in Abu Dhabi for work the day before the arrest and Nur was accompanying him on the trip.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) released a statement on Aug 25 saying that officials from the Singapore Embassy in Abu Dhabi met with the Nur and Fadli four times "to ensure their continued well-being while in custody".
"Singaporeans are also reminded that they should respect and abide by the local laws when they travel overseas," MFA added.
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