A group of more than a dozen women glanced at Dubai residents as they laid naked on a balcony in a trick that went viral, and also landed them in hot water with local authorities.
The women were arrested on charges of public debauchery in the UAE, where violations of the law of public decency (including nudity and other “obscure conduct”) carry penalties of up to six months in the slammer, as well as heavy many.
The videos and images of the women, lined up in their luxurious birthday dresses in the Marina neighborhood, made waves on social media this weekend, impacting the federation of seven Arab sheiks.
Much more taming behavior, such as kissing in public or drinking unlicensed alcohol, has caused people to get behind bars.
The state-linked newspaper The National reported that viewing the women in the buff appeared to be an “advertising ploy,” without detailing it.
Police said the women arrested for the “indecent” video have been referred to the prosecution.
“These unacceptable behaviors do not reflect the values and ethics of Emirati society,” police said in a statement.
Despite being liberal compared to its Middle Eastern neighbors, the UAE has strict rules governing expression based on Islamic law, or Shariah.