DUBAI: A United Arab Emirates court has jailed 12 men who were arrested after being discovered preparing for a gay wedding but acquitted another 14 defendants, an official said yesterday.

“Eleven men have confessed to practising homosexuality. They were sentenced to five years in prison (for homosexuality) and one year for obscenity,” the official said.

“Another man was sentenced to one year in prison for obscenity, but was acquitted of homosexuality charges... while 14 others have been released after being found not guilty,” he added.

The 26 defendants, including UAE citizens, an Indian and three nationals of neighbouring Arab countries, were arrested in November when police raided a hotel in a desert resort town.

Local newspaper Emirates Today had reported that the Abu Dhabi court had sentenced all 26 men to five years in jail.

It said the men were busted in a hotel “dressed in women’s clothes and make-up in preparation of gay wedding.”

The official said the verdict was not final and could be appealed.

Last April, a court in Saudi Arabia sentenced two Saudis, one Yemeni and a Jordanian to two years in jail and 2,000 lashes after a police raid on an alleged gay party. – AFP