Dubai Royal Ex-Wife Fears Arrest Amid Heated Custody Battle and Livestream Controversy
Zeynab Javadli, the former wife of a prominent member of Dubai's ruling family, Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has voiced serious fears of arrest amidst an intensely escalating custody battle over their three young daughters. The dispute, which has been ongoing since their divorce in 2019, reached a critical juncture recently, marked by accusations of kidnapping exchanged between both parents and Ms. Javadli facing potential charges for online offenses following a dramatic livestream.
Escalating Dispute and a Desperate Plea
The former Azerbaijani gymnast found herself in a precarious position after her ex-husband filed a criminal complaint with Dubai police, alleging she kidnapped their children. Ms. Javadli, speaking from her home, recounted a harrowing incident on November 8th. After weeks of her daughters being with their father, she was granted a brief visitation. Upon arriving at a child protection centre, the children were initially absent. As she exited, she saw them rushing towards her, pleading, "Mama, take us from here!" In a desperate move, she instructed her driver to secure the children and drive them home. However, their path was reportedly blocked by vehicles associated with her ex-husband's staff. It was at this moment, feeling it was her "last chance" to be with her children, that she initiated a livestream, appealing for help and understanding.
Breaching an Alleged Agreement
Ms. Javadli believes her actions, while risking her own freedom, were a necessary measure. She acknowledges that going public likely breached a previous agreement she says was brokered with Dubai's ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, in 2022. This alleged deal guaranteed her custody of the children until they turned 18, along with a house and financial support, in exchange for her silence on the matter and a promise to cease all livestreaming. Although a subsequent court ruling granted custody to Sheikh Saeed, Ms. Javadli states she was assured the ruler's agreement would remain in effect until two months ago when her children were unexpectedly not returned after a scheduled visitation.
Since the November 8th incident, Ms. Javadli and her daughters, aged nine, seven, and six, have remained isolated at home. The children are currently not attending school due to her profound fear of arrest should she venture outside. Her British lawyer, David Haigh, who has campaigned for other women connected to the Dubai royal family, underscores the gravity of the situation.
Conflicting Accounts and Past Allegations
Sheikh Saeed's perspective, as presented in court depositions, paints a starkly different picture. He accuses Ms. Javadli of forcibly taking the children with her driver's assistance and kidnapping them. Furthermore, she is charged with e-crimes for posting videos on social media where she allegedly "insulted and slandered" her former husband, defamed the state, and violated its laws. Previously, Sheikh Saeed's legal team asserted Ms. Javadli was an unfit mother, citing issues like her alleged failure to send the children to school and an unsuitable living arrangement when she resided in a hotel. Ms. Javadli and her Emirati lawyers have contested these accusations with counter-evidence.
Echoes of Other High-Profile Cases
This case draws parallels with other high-profile situations involving women linked to Dubai's royal family. Princess Haya, ex-wife of Sheikh Mohammed, fled the UAE in 2019, fearing for her life, ultimately winning sole custody of her children in a UK court. Princess Latifa, a daughter of Dubai's ruler, famously attempted to escape in 2018, claiming coercive control, and was forcibly returned. While she has since made limited public appearances, saying she is well, these incidents highlight a pattern.
Ms. Javadli and David Haigh contend that while Dubai actively promotes women's rights and opportunities, cases like hers reveal a more complex and uncomfortable reality beneath the city's glamorous facade for some women, particularly those navigating the intricacies of its royal and legal systems. The BBC's attempts to reach UAE officials for comment on Ms. Javadli's case have so far been unsuccessful.