DUBAI: The United Arab Emirates denied yesterday it would administer forced hormone treatment to a group of gay men arrested in a raid on a wedding party.

“There will be no forced hormone treatment,” an interior ministry official said, although he said the men could undergo “optional” therapy.

Twenty-six men, including UAE citizens, an Indian and three nationals of neighbouring Arab countries, were arrested more than a week ago when police raided a hotel in a desert resort town.

The men, who police say were wearing wedding attire - including wedding gowns - at the time of their arrest, face flogging and up to five years in jail if convicted of homosexuality.

The foreigners could also face expulsion.

Police official Lieutenant Colonel Najem Abdullah al-Sayar had said on Tuesday that courts may also order a hormone treatment as part of the punishment if the men - some of whom have been released - are convicted.

But the interior ministry official said such treatment would be “optional,” adding that the fate of the men would be decided by Monday. – AFP