Sébastien UsherGlobal Affairs Journalist
Provided
The ex-wife of a nephew of Dubai’s ruler has been taken into custody, authorities said, as the custody battle over their three young daughters intensifies.
Dubai Public Prosecution Service told the BBC that Zenab Javadli was arrested following a complaint by the father of her three children, her former husband, Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
For almost two days, no news was received as to where Javadli and her children had gone.
For months, she barely left the house because she thought security officers were waiting to take her children away and place her under arrest.
According to Dubai Public Prosecution, her ex-husband alleged that she kidnapped the children during a court-approved visitation session.
Last year, he filed a complaint with the police, accusing them of kidnapping their daughters.
This was after the children had changed hands several times between their parents, each accusing the other of kidnapping.
Javadli – a former international gymnast – also faces arrest for electronic crimes – online offenses – in the United Arab Emirates after she live-streamed one of the confrontations last year.
AFP via Getty Images
At the time, she explained her actions in a video message to British human rights lawyer David Haigh, who defended her interests: “I knew it was the last chance to be with my children because they would never let me see them again. I honestly thought it was my last chance, so I just opened a livestream and called for help.”
Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s lawyers claimed during court hearings in their child custody case that she was an unfit mother who failed to send her daughters to school, lived in an unsuitable place for children when she was in a hotel and endangered the health of the youngest daughter.
In a statement released Thursday evening, Dubai Public Prosecution Service said the case was still under investigation and ongoing legal proceedings.
“[We] will continue to take necessary legal measures in accordance with applicable laws, while safeguarding the well-being and best interests of children,” he added.
In response, Haigh called on the UAE to immediately grant Javadli access to her lawyer, consulate and family and release her to her home in Dubai.
