69 Filipinos in Riyadh Arrested for "Deviant Behavior"

A large number of foreign workers were rounded up recently during a concert at a closed compound in Riyadh. They were arrested for engaging in "Deviant Acts" during a private celebration of the Philippine Independence Day.

"Vice President Noli de Castro, also the Presidential Adviser on overseas Filipino workers, on Friday confirmed reports from Philippine Ambassador to Riyadh Antonio Villamor that the 69 Filipinos were arrested but later released after their sponsors paid fees for their release."

http://www.manilatimes.net

It was later disclosed that the Filipinos arrested for deviant behavior had decided to celebrate the Philippine Independence Day more "freely" and had been merry-making dressed as Filipinas. It was not known to them that engaging in "Gay Acts," even in private gatherings is punishable by imprisonment, caning, and in extreme cases, death in Saudi Arabia.

"Vice Consul Roussel Reyes of the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh told GMA News that nearly 50 other Filipinos have been arrested and jailed in the past for similar violations... 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."

http://www.gmanews.tv

Although the merry makers have already been released thanks to their sponsors, they will not be allowed to leave Saudi Arabia until they have faced the charges filed against them in court.