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British women 'raped' in Jordan British women 'raped' in Jordan
(21 minutes later)
Two Jordanian men have been charged with the rape of two British women in Jordan, a criminal prosecutor has said.Two Jordanian men have been charged with the rape of two British women in Jordan, a criminal prosecutor has said.
The incident allegedly happened last weekend, near the Dead Sea coast, after the women tried to find a taxi. The incident allegedly happened last Saturday, near the Dead Sea coast, after the women tried to find a taxi.
The BBC's Crispin Thorold said local reports claimed the women were studying Arabic in neighbouring Syria and were in Jordan for a short visit.The BBC's Crispin Thorold said local reports claimed the women were studying Arabic in neighbouring Syria and were in Jordan for a short visit.
The Foreign Office said it was aware of an incident in Jordan involving two British nationals.The Foreign Office said it was aware of an incident in Jordan involving two British nationals.
A spokeswoman said consular assistance was being provided.A spokeswoman said consular assistance was being provided.
Prosecutor Jehad Dardiri told the AFP news agency: "They [the men] offered to help the women find a taxi, but later threatened to kill them and raped them." Men hunted
Mr Dardiri said the suspects faced up to 15 years in prison if convicted. Crispin Thorold said prosecutor Jehad Dardiri claimed the women had spent Friday evening at a beach near the Dead Sea, but were unable to find a taxi back to Amman.
Our correspondent said a diplomatic source in the Jordanian capital Amman had confirmed there had been an incident, but would not give details. He said a local woman offered to let them stay in her home, but at about 0200 local time (0000 BST) on Saturday four drunk men arrived at the house and tried to get in.
The family refused to let them in, he said, and at about 0500 (0300 BST) the woman's brother and his friend took the British women out of the house to help them get back to Amman.
They offered to help the women find a taxi, but later threatened to kill them and raped them Jehad Dardiri, prosecutor
It was then, on an isolated road, that the rapes took place, Mr Dardiri claimed.
He said these two men had been charged with rape and two of the four drunk men had been charged with attempted rape.
Jordanian police are looking for the other two men, he added.
Mr Dardiri told the AFP news agency: "They offered to help the women find a taxi, but later threatened to kill them and raped them."
He said the suspects faced up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
The women reported the alleged attack to the British embassy in Amman.
A spokesman there confirmed that an incident had occurred, but would not give any more details.
Our correspondent said this sort of incident was very rare in Jordan, where the crime rate is low.