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Dubai adultery woman out of jail | Dubai adultery woman out of jail |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A British mother jailed in the United Arab Emirates for adultery has been released from prison. | A British mother jailed in the United Arab Emirates for adultery has been released from prison. |
Marnie Pearce, 40, who is originally from Bracknell in Berkshire, was convicted of cheating on her Egyptian ex-husband and jailed in February. | Marnie Pearce, 40, who is originally from Bracknell in Berkshire, was convicted of cheating on her Egyptian ex-husband and jailed in February. |
As a result she lost custody of her two sons, aged eight and four, last month. | As a result she lost custody of her two sons, aged eight and four, last month. |
A spokesman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) confirmed Ms Pearce left the Dubai jail where she had been held, on Monday morning. | A spokesman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) confirmed Ms Pearce left the Dubai jail where she had been held, on Monday morning. |
The supply teacher was handed a three-month prison sentence after her conviction and had faced deportation upon her release from prison but that has been suspended. | |
An FCO spokeswoman said: "We have been in touch with the UAE authorities about Ms Pearce's case and requested that the deportation be suspended while the child custody case was ongoing. | |
"The welfare of the children has been our prime concern throughout this case." | |
She should never have been imprisoned in the first place Tim Hancock, Amnesty International | She should never have been imprisoned in the first place Tim Hancock, Amnesty International |
Ms Pearce had been held in the women's section of Dubai Central Jail in Al Awir and launched two appeals against her conviction, both of which were unsuccessful. | Ms Pearce had been held in the women's section of Dubai Central Jail in Al Awir and launched two appeals against her conviction, both of which were unsuccessful. |
Her supporters said her three-month sentence had been cut in an apparent U-turn, on account of good behaviour. | Her supporters said her three-month sentence had been cut in an apparent U-turn, on account of good behaviour. |
However, her brother Daniel Pearce said she had served her full sentence, which he said was 69 days. | However, her brother Daniel Pearce said she had served her full sentence, which he said was 69 days. |
He said she had not been pardoned and that her conviction still stood. | He said she had not been pardoned and that her conviction still stood. |
Tim Hancock, of Amnesty International, said: "She should never have been imprisoned in the first place. But her release is far from the end of this story. | Tim Hancock, of Amnesty International, said: "She should never have been imprisoned in the first place. But her release is far from the end of this story. |
"Marnie's suffering will continue as she is not able to see her sons and she does not know if she will be able to see them again." | "Marnie's suffering will continue as she is not able to see her sons and she does not know if she will be able to see them again." |
Prison term cut | Prison term cut |
Ms Pearce was arrested and accused of committing adultery with a British man, who she insists was only a friend, in March last year. | Ms Pearce was arrested and accused of committing adultery with a British man, who she insists was only a friend, in March last year. |
She was convicted in November and jailed on 19 February. | She was convicted in November and jailed on 19 February. |
Her prison term was reduced from six months at her first appeal. | Her prison term was reduced from six months at her first appeal. |
She denied the adultery claims made by her ex-husband, Ihab El-Labban, who now has custody of their children. | She denied the adultery claims made by her ex-husband, Ihab El-Labban, who now has custody of their children. |
She first met him in Oman and married him in the Seychelles in September 1999. | She first met him in Oman and married him in the Seychelles in September 1999. |
They moved to Dubai, but the relationship eventually broke down. | They moved to Dubai, but the relationship eventually broke down. |
Last Thursday, a protest march in support of Ms Pearce to London's United Arab Emirates Embassy was cancelled when supporters were told her case was being reviewed. | Last Thursday, a protest march in support of Ms Pearce to London's United Arab Emirates Embassy was cancelled when supporters were told her case was being reviewed. |