Dutch woman held in Qatar on adultery charges after reporting she was raped

The 22-year-old told authorities she believed her drink was drugged while she was dancing at a hotel

The woman has been held in Qatar (file picture) (Getty Images)

A Dutch woman has been held in Qatar since March after being accused of adultery when she reported she had been raped.

The 22-year-old woman, who was on holiday in Qatar, told authorities she had been drinking at a hotel and returned from the dance floor to her drink, which she believes was drugged.

She said she had woken up the next morning in an unfamiliar room and realised she had had her drink spiked and had been raped, The National reported.

Her lawyer, Brian Lokollo, told NOS-Radio1: “She went dancing, but when she returned to the table after the first sip of her drink, she realised that [it had been drugged].She felt very unwell.”

A man was arrested in connection with the rape allegation but told police the pair had consensual sex and the woman had asked for money in return, prompting police to arrest the woman on suspicion of adultery.

The woman has denied these allegations a spokesperson from the Dutch Embassy in Qatar confirmed, adding that the authorities in Qatar have kept in regular contact with the woman as the case continues to be investigated.

However, the woman has reportedly not been allowed to leave the country while the allegations are being looked into.

It is not yet clear when the woman will be allowed to return to her home from Qatar, with a court hearing set for 13 June likely to determine whether or not the woman will be charged with adultery.