Two British teachers are being held in prison in Oman after being accused of stealing dogs.
Jenny Green and a female friend have been charged with theft and potentially others related to alcohol, according to Detained in Dubai.
Ms Green and her friend were working for the British Council to help promote UK culture in the country.
They allegedly intervened to save abused animals but abusing animals is not a crime in the nation.
Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai said: ““This is yet another stark reminder that there are vast cultural and legal disparities between the West and the Gulf States.
“Jenny Green and her friend were in Oman working for the British Council, specifically to help promote UK culture in the country.
“They allegedly intervened to save abused animals, which is something honourable in Britain, but is a crime in Oman.”
“As we see in this case, the original charges of 'theft', which were wrongful in the first place; appear to have been arbitrarily compounded with charges related to alcohol by judicial caprice; reportedly because the judge in the case 'thought the women may have been intoxicated'."
She added: “Conditions in Omani prison are well known to be dismal.
“It is outrageous that Jenny Green and her friend are enduring this blatant mistreatment, and the UK government needs to step in to secure their release.”
The British Council, whose staff are in the country visiting the pair, said on Thursday that the pair are "fine and being treated well".
A spokesman said: “We are aware of an incident in relation to two British teachers employed locally in Oman.
"We cannot discuss the details of an ongoing legal case and await the outcome of due process by the Omani authorities.”
A Foreign Office spokesman said: “We are providing support to two British women, and their families, following their arrest in Oman. We are in contact with the Omani authorities.”
