Irina Sotulenko is among a group of women being detained in the United Arab Emirates after taking part in a nude photo shoot on April 3. Photo / Instagram
Irina Sotulenko is among a group of women being detained in the United Arab Emirates after taking part in a nude photo shoot on April 3. Photo / Instagram
One of the models involved in the Dubai naked balcony saga has claimed she was forced to take part in the nude shoot.
Irina Sotulenko's solicitor and boyfriend have said they are deeply concerned for the 23-year-old Ukrainian model.
They haven't had contact with Sotulenko and she is among a group of women being detained in the United Arab Emirates after taking part in the nude photo shoot on April 3.
At least 40 women are in custody and initially faced up to six months in jail for taking part in the "lewd" photo shoot.
However, the women are now expected to be deported back to Ukraine on Monday (local time) after Ukrainian authorities reached an agreement with the UAE.
Sotulenko complained about the photo shoot's "idiot" organiser, Vitaly Grechin, who allowed the images to be posted online, in audio and video messages.
In the messages, sent to her boyfriend before she and the group were detained, Sotulenko also claimed she was forced to take part or risk not being paid.
After footage of the shoot emerged online, several models fled the UAE, while those who remained were detained. Photo / Instagram
"I told them, 'Guys, we are in Arab country, let's not show off'," she allegedly said.
"But, damn, we were forced to this balcony, took pictures and God knows what will be next."
Sotulenko's boyfriend, who gave his name only as Vitaly, said that while his girlfriend had known the Dubai assignment involved a nude photo shoot, she did not know it would be in a public place.
He claims Sotulenko and the other models had been "pushed" onto the balcony.
"The girls began to be indignant, and asking why they were going there," Vitaly said.
"They said: 'This is a Muslim country, for this we will all have problems.' But they were told, 'Do not forget who pays for it, please go to the balcony.'
"So they went out onto the balcony and [he] photographed them."
Vitaly said some of the models had "immediately" left the UAE when they discovered images and video from the shoot were online.
But Sotulenko and others who stayed behind were told they could leave once they went to the police to make a statement.
"[The models were told] police will interrogate you and release you," Vitaly said.
"It turned out that they were a little deceived. Everyone who returned was taken to prison."
"Such unacceptable behaviours do not reflect the values and ethics of Emirati society," police said in a statement.
In the UAE there are strict rules around nudity, with the country's major telecom companies blocking access to porn websites. Kissing or having sex in a public place is also forbidden and punishable with fines or jail time.
Meanwhile, Grechin is believed to be in custody and could face one and a half years in jail for being the organiser of the shoot.
