Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (dpa) - Police in Sharjah in the United
Arab Emirates (UAE) arrested Wednesday a German doctor of Arab descent
for performing hymen reconstruction surgery and illegal abortions.

Police investigation indicated that the 61-year-old gynaecologist
carried out the surgery to restore broken hymen for about 1,000
dollars, according to a police statement.

The surgery known as hymenoplasty is illegal in many countries in
the Middle East and the Gulf where women are required to prove their
virginity when they get married.

The surgery is usually done under local anaesthetic. (dpa)