A gay Lebanese man who posted images of himself in drag on Instagram is being prosecuted in Abu Dhabi on charges of "practicing" and "promoting homosexuality," which carry possible death sentences in the country ruled by Sharia Law.

Prosecutors claimed in Abu Dhabi Criminal Court last week that the pictures showed the 21-year-old man "wearing short women’s clothes, wigs and make-up."

The man had also allegedly posted his phone number on the social networking site and was offering sexual services to other men.

The United Arab Emirates website 7days reports the man was arrested in a sting operation after soliciting an undercover cop who made an appointment while posing as a customer.

In court, the man reportedly claimed his friend had taken his friend and posted the pictures on Instagram without his knowledge.

LGBT people around the world face discrimination, isolation, and violence simply for being gay, and can be arrested for engaging in same-sex sexual relations in 75 countries. In 10 of those countries, including the United Arab Emirates, homosexuality is punishable by death.

For more on international LGBT issues, visit Logo’s Global Ally site.

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