A gay man in Abu Dhabi is facing a death penalty for posting images of himself in drag on Instagram.

The 21-year-old from Lebanon is being prosecuted on charges of ‘practicing’ and ‘promoting homosexuality’.

Abu Dhabi Criminal Court showed the young man wearing ‘short women’s clothes, wigs and make-up’.

Prosecutors also claimed the man posted his phone number and was offering sexual services to other men.

United Arab Emirates website 7days reports the man was arrested in a sting operation after an undercover cop made an appointment while posing as a customer.

In court, the man reportedly claimed his friend had taken his friend and posted the pictures on Instagram without his knowledge.

The trial has been adjourned until 26 October.

The UAE, which comprises of Emirates like Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Ras al-Khamiah, punishes homosexuality with anything from jines, jail time, deportatation to the death penalty.

It is one of 10 countries where homosexuality is punished with death.