Corpun file 0812

Cape Argus, South Africa, 6 May 1997

Lash rules in the Gulf

ABU DHABI -- A few weeks after a tiny Gulf Arab emirate began flogging rash drivers, it has decided to extend the punishment to beggars.

"We have decided to enforce flogging because it is an effective deterrent," a security official in Ras al-Khaimah said.

"We keep warning the expatriates not to beg because it is banned ... We have tried fines and imprisonment but they were not effective."

Newspapers reported today that an Indian would get 40 lashes after he was caught begging. He will be deported. -- Sapa-AFP