MP condemns jailing of couple in UAE

09 March 2017 - 13:17 By TMG Digital
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South African Emlyn Culverwell and his Ukrainian fiancée, Iryna Nohai, were arrested at the end of January 2017 for a ‘Zina’ moral offence in Abu Dhabi.
South African Emlyn Culverwell and his Ukrainian fiancée, Iryna Nohai, were arrested at the end of January 2017 for a ‘Zina’ moral offence in Abu Dhabi.
Image: Facebook

A motion was presented to parliament yesterday condemning the incarceration of Emlyn Culverwell and his fiancée‚ who are being held in a United Arab Emirates prison for pregnancy out of wedlock.

The motion was presented by Democratic Alliance MP and deputy shadow environmental minister Terry Stander. Emlyn’s mom‚ Linda Culverwell‚ and family have been fighting for the release of the couple for the last six weeks.

Due to the exposure that the story has generated nationwide‚ a Durban woman made contact with Linda and revealed that her daughter is in a similar situation and currently locked up with Iryna Nohai in the prison cell.

  • READ MORE: SA mom issues SOS: Pregnancy out of wedlock sees couple jailed in Abu Dhabi"She must feel so violated." A South African mother is petitioning for authorities to help her son and his fiancée‚ who have been in jail since the end of January - because they are expecting a baby.

Through this call‚ Linda was able to learn that Nohai was still pregnant.

According to Linda she has received an overwhelming amount of support through the public.

“I never dreamed so many people would care. I have been on the phone non-stop. I’m tired‚ but it’s a good tired‚” Linda said.

Linda was also offered a plane ticket by an employee at Yas Waterworld to Abu Dhabi so that she could visit Emlyn‚ and hopefully Nohai. Only family members who share the same family name are allowed to visit detainees.

Linda also learned that neither Emlyn or Nohai have had any word with each other and attempts to send money for phone calls have been futile.

-TMG/Talk of the Town

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