Lesbian Couple Found Safe In Istanbul After Being Targeted By Homophobic Father

London residents Shaza Ismai and Maria Jimena Rico Montero went missing last week after Ismai’s homophobic father tricked the couple into flying to Dubai, where homosexuality is a capital crime.

Ismai’s father baited his daughter by claiming her mother was deathly ill and needed to see her. When the women arrived, he reported the couple to the police. They then fled to Georgia in hopes of turning to London, but were met by Ismai’s father at the airport—along with lawyers and security guards.

Montero’s mother claims he destroyed his daughter’s visa and stole both women’s passports.

After being detained at the airport for 10 hours, the couple managed to board a bus to Samsun in Turkey. “If I don’t call at midday, it’s because something happened to me,”

Montero messaged her mother on WhatsApp.

Though Montero never called en route, the couple has been reported safe in Istanbul.