Man jailed in UAE for trying to force ex-girlfriend into marriage

A Sri Lankan man in United Arb Emirates (UAE) has been jailed for six months for attempting to force his former Indian girlfriend into marriage after blackmailing her with nude photos.

The Dubai Court of First Instance convicted Sri Lankan swimming instructor, A.P., 34, of blackmailing and threatening to publish the 23-year-old woman's nude photos for financial gains, the Gulf News reported Monday.

A.P. had an affair with the woman during which he took her pictures in compromising positions.

He blackmailed the woman and tried to coerce her to marry him after threatening to show the photos to her family.

The defendant posted the photos on her uncle's Facebook timeline and sent them to her sister on WhatsApp.

The woman testified in court that she paid A.P. 2,000 Dirhams (about $540) and when she failed to pay him more, he sent the photos to her uncle and sister.

Presiding Judge Ezzat Abdul Lat said the defendant will be deported following the completion of his jail term.

The judge Monday said the woman's photos will be seized by the court.

The ruling remains subject to appeal within 15 days.