Sixty-seven gay Filipino workers and their boyfriends recently arrested by Saudi Arabia police for holding a gay show are facing imprisonment of three to six months and 50 to 100 lashes on charges of “imitating women,” an offense against the Koran.Vice Consul to Riyadh Roussel Reyes said this on Saturday in a telephone interview with Vice President Noli de Castro on the latter’s radio program,” Para Sa Iyo, Bayan.”
Reyes corrected earlier reports that 72 Filipinos were arrested on June 13, saying the correct number of 67 was based on actual body count in the police station when representatives of the Philippine embassy in Saudi Arabia visited them.The Filipinos were arrested still wearing gowns and wigs and were caught in possession of liquor while holding a party in celebration of Philippine Independence Day in Riyadh.
Saudi Arabia's laws strictly prohibit the open display of homosexual behavior.
The Filipinos were released on June 16 after their respective sponsors vouched for them and paid the corresponding fees pending the hearing of the charges against them.Reyes said the embassy only learned of the incident from the Filipino community in Riyadh since none of those arrested had informed them.
“Perhaps the neighbors were bothered by their noise and called the police," Reyes said, adding that the police released the men afterwards because "they could not feed them as there were too many of them."
Reyes said the embassy could not get the identities of the Filipino workers as their cases had been forwarded to the prosecutor’s office, which does not release details of any case. “We can only get the details if we will file a diplomatic note. But the police said the charge is not homosexuality but ‘imitating women,’ which is against the Koran,” he said.Reyes said it was not the first time that Filipino homosexuals had a problem with Saudi laws.
De Castro said he had been assured by the ambassador that a case officer was extending assistance and would provide legal representation for the group.“I just want to reiterate to our OFWs to observe the laws and rules of the country where they work so as not to get into trouble,” De Castro said.“It would be best if before embarking on a job abroad make sure you are physically, mentally, emotionally and psychologically prepared for the job, aware of the new kind of community, culture you will adapt to and the laws and rules you have to follow,” he added.
Filipino gays in Saudi face imprisonment - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos
Filipino gays in Saudi face imprisonment
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