NIOH BERG: She reported the rape to Emirati police, but was instead charged with adultery. They took her money and passport. Marte was then sentenced to 13 months in prison for "having sex outside of marriage", and for not having four male witnesses to corroborate her story, in accordance with Sharia law.

In 2013, Norwegian expat Marte Deborah Dalelv was raped by a colleague in Dubai.

She reported the rape to Emirati police, but was instead charged with adultery. They took her money and passport.

Marte was then sentenced to 13 months in prison for "having sex outside of… https://t.co/zk8hblh1zy pic.twitter.com/fzjqxzkb5Q

— 𝐍𝐢𝐨𝐡 𝐁𝐞𝐫𝐠 ♛ ✡︎ (@NiohBerg) December 20, 2025

In 2013, Norwegian expat Marte Deborah Dalelv was raped by a colleague in Dubai. She reported the rape to Emirati police, but was instead charged with adultery. They took her money and passport. Marte was then sentenced to 13 months in prison for "having sex outside of marriage", and for not having four male witnesses to corroborate her story, in accordance with Sharia law. She was never declared not guilty. The UAE instead gave her a royal pardon due to global backlash. Before I give any grace to the UAE whatsoever, I want to know that atrocities like this are no longer happening, and that women aren't prosecuted for reporting rape anymore.