A Filipino couple is appealing a three-month prison sentence and deportation after the Dubai government found out that they had sex before marriage.
The Filipino couple, who were convicted in April, filed an appeal before the Dubai Misdemeanors Court to junk the case.
Dubai authorities discovered the couple's supposed violation when the woman, 28 years old, was rushed to the hospital in December due to pregnancy-related pains.
According to a report by Dubai daily The Gulf News, a medical staff asked for the baby's father, a 27-year-old Filipino but the woman told the staff that she and the man were engaged and not married.
Her partner was then arrested after the hospital notified the authority about their status.
The woman later miscarried the baby even before she was rushed to the hospital.
The Department of Foreign Affairs has yet to comment on the case, but said that it would gather the information first before they can provide necessary consular assistance.
Pre-marital sex is illegal in the United Arab Emirates.
During the hearing, the couple told Dubai Court of Appeals judge Adnan al Farra that they were married at the time of the incident.
Their lawyer, Eisa Bin Haider presented to the court the couple’s marriage contract.
The legal counsel then asked the court to adjourn until the couple can present a notarized marriage contract.
In her testimony, the Filipina said she and her husband came from the same province in the Philippines, knew each other for eight years, and lived in her partner’s residence at Dubai Gardens.
She added that she did not know of her pregnancy until a few days before her medical emergency.
The couple’s trial will continue at a later date, the report said.
