sa mga may bading na kamag-anak dito, basahin ninyo eto:MANILA, Philippines - At least 69 Filipinos who were arrested in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia last June 12 for wearing women’s clothing at a private party have been released.
Vice Consul Roussel Reyes told GMANews.TV on Wednesday that 69, not 72 as earlier reported, were arrested in an Independence Day “gay pageant" at a private villa. They were released after three days.
Reyes said arresting officers, who were tipped off by someone who complained of the noise from the villa, saw the Filipinos wearing wigs and women’s clothes. Some were locked in embrace with their foreign boyfriends, the officers said.
The embassy official expressed concern that none of the Filipinos who were arrested have sought the help of the embassy as of Wednesday.
“They are already blacklisted by Immigration. They can’t leave the Kingdom now that their case has been forwarded to the court," he said in a phone interview.
Reyes has contacted the Saudi authorities to find out the hearing date of the 69 Filipinos so the embassy can coordinate directly with them.
Open display of homosexual behavior is strictly prohibited under Saudi Arabia’s Sharia’h law. In extreme cases, such as when the government feels that homosexuals are challenging state authority, the maximum punishment for the act is public execution.
Normally, however, the authorities impose other punishments such as fines, imprisonment, and whipping. Individuals caught wearing even just one article of women’s clothing could face three to six months imprisonment, and suffer between 50 and 100 lashes with a rattan stick.
Reyes said nearly 50 other Filipinos have been arrested and jailed in the past for similar offenses.
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