One of the models who posed naked in the notorious Dubai balcony photoshoot has spoken out about the stunt, describing how she felt ashamed at having to tell her grandma.
Ukrainian model Yana Graboshchuk, 27, was one of the women who stripped naked to pose on the balcony of a penthouse apartment on the Dubai Marina.
Earlier this month, more than a dozen of the models were arrested and detained for offending public decency before being deported and banned from travelling to the Gulf for five years.
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Speaking to TSN about the incident, Yana's grandma said: "I don't know what to say about it," although the model, who studied law at university, said her relative was mostly concerned that she was okay.
Although she's ashamed and claims she deserved to be imprisoned, Yana says that the women were treated like 'animals' and rejects the accusations that they were involved in prostitution.
Yana also defended Vitaliy Grishin, who funded the photoshoot and paid for the group to fly to Dubai.
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Speaking about the 41-year-old playboy's recent birthday party, Yana said: "He never let himself to do anything [inappropriate] in all the time we were relaxing.
"There were no hints or attempts to convince us to film for porn, as was alleged. We were having a rest, sightseeing, swimming in the Gulf, taking photos in the pool, all in swimsuits."
Her reasoning for the controversial photoshoot, which made headlines across the globe, is that the models had gone to change in Vitaliy's apartment and decided to take a few photos.
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She continued: "It was our stupidity, and I understand that we are guilty of what happened. There was not one particular person who suggested the idea to take [nude] photos... no-one was forcing anyone...
"The police arrived because a neighbour from the opposite [building] posted it with the hashtag #policedubai."
Yana described the interrogation as 'very tough', stating: "They were trying to prove that we all are involved in the escort industry. There were questions such as if we were paid for sex or for the photos.
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"Some girls were hysterical and were begging to make a phone call simply because our parents did not know what was happening to us. We all were searched, it was very scary and extremely rude."
Yana told viewers in Ukraine: "All the personal belongings were removed, including my piercing in my belly [button] that I could not take off.
"We were treated like animals there... We were woken at night for searches. We were pushed but not beaten.
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"Many girls started their periods, and we were not provided with [sanitary products] at first... All our correspondence, all messages, were checked."
More than a dozen women, eleven of which are Ukrainian, were detained for nine days before being deported.
American-Ukrainian Vitaliy remains in custody in Dubai amid suggestions he will serve prison time, alongside Russian IT boss Alexey Kontsov who was allegedly present when the shoot took place.
Both are accused of 'violating the norms of public morality and organising an indecent photo session', said a statement from Kontsov's Russian company.
Photographer Alexander Ten, who flew out to Russia before Dubai police started arresting those involved, is described as wanted by law enforcement in the United Arab Emirates.
Featured Image Credit: East2West NewsTopics: World News, Dubai, Russia