Qatar City
A 22-year-old Dutch woman has been arrested in Qatar after she claimed she was raped Sean Gallup/Getty Images

A Dutch tourist in Qatar is being held by police on suspicion of adultery after she claimed that she was raped whilst on holiday. The 22-year-old identified only as 'Laura' said that she was drugged whilst on a night out and awoke in an apartment she had never been in before.

The woman, from Utrecht, says she then realised that she had been raped and told Qatari authorities - only to be arrested herself. According to reports from the emirate the suspected rapist was apprehended by police at the time but he said their encounter had been consensual.

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The man also accused 'Laura' of asking for money and her lawyer Brian Lokollo said the woman denies all the accusations against her. He added that she had been dancing and then returned to her table for a drink when she realised that she had been drugged.

Dutch website Metro has quoted her lawyer, Mr Lokollo, as saying: "She was arrested in March on suspicion of adultery, which means having sex outside marriage. She sounds cheerful, but ashamed."

Lokollo added that 'Laura' cannot remember anything between the drink, she believes was spiked, and waking up the next day. "She felt very unwell," he added.

Dutch authorities have confirmed that she was arrested but said Laura had not been charged. The Dutch media has reported that the family of the alleged rapist has demanded that she marry him to release him of the allegations.

A court hearing is scheduled for Monday 13 June with a decision on whether to charge her is expected to be made. Daphne Kerremans, from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: "The defence of the accused is that the woman has had voluntary sex with him and that she even asked for money, so the investigation is still in progress."

In 2013 a 24-year-old Norwegian woman brought a rape complaint against her boss in neighbouring United Arab Emirates and found herself handed a 16-month jail sentence for so-called indecent behaviour, perjury and alcohol consumption. The woman was later pardoned by UAE authorities.