UAE releases 'unlawful sex' couple

The UAE authorities released Friday Emlyn Culverwell‚ 29, and Iryna Nohai, 27, who were arrested in January for sex outside marriage, which is prohibited in the UAE. News of their detention surfaced earlier this week.

Emlyn Culverwell‚ 29, and Iryna Nohai, 27, were reportedly detained in UAE after a doctor discovered that the woman was pregnant but she could not provide a marriage certificate, the New Arab revealed.

Culverwell's mother, from South Africa, has pleaded for her son and his Ukrainian fiancee's release.

South Africa's International Relations Department, which had said it was unable to offer the couple any help in the case, confirmed news of the release to local media.

The news of their detention came few weeks after the UAE authorities declared intention to set up a special court to deal with offences committed by tourists as part of its efforts to promote itself as a holiday destination.