A former member of Dubai’s ruling family, Zeynab Javadli, has expressed fears of arrest following her ex-husband’s criminal complaint accusing her of kidnapping their three daughters. The contentious custody battle with Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum has escalated, leading to accusations of abduction from both parties. Javadli, who divorced the senior royal in 2019, is now navigating the complexities of a situation that has turned increasingly volatile.
In recent weeks, the couple has been embroiled in a struggle for custody that has seen their children, aged nine, seven, and six, moved back and forth between them. Both parents have leveled serious allegations against each other, intensifying the conflict.
Javadli has taken the drastic step of livestreaming a confrontation with her ex-husband, a move that she acknowledges could lead to e-crime charges. “I knew it was my last chance to be with my children,” she stated in a video message sent to her lawyer, David Haigh. “I genuinely believed they would never let me see them again, so I opened a livestream and called for help.”
According to Javadli, since regaining custody of her daughters after they spent time with their father, she has felt increasingly isolated. She claims a custody arrangement, previously approved by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in 2022, guaranteed her custody until the children turned 18, along with housing and financial support while their father covered educational costs. However, a later court ruling shifted custody to Sheikh Saeed, creating confusion and distress for Javadli.
She asserts that she was given assurances by relevant authorities that her earlier agreement would remain valid until recent changes disrupted the arrangement. Two months ago, during a routine visitation, she received a notification from the Dubai police stating that the children would not return to her that day. For several weeks, she reportedly received no further communication regarding her daughters’ whereabouts.
On November 8, 2023, Javadli was scheduled to meet her daughters at a child protection centre. Upon her arrival, she discovered that the children were missing. Just as she was leaving the building, her daughters ran toward her, pleading for her to take them away. Javadli instructed her driver to lock the car doors and leave, but they were confronted by vehicles belonging to her ex-husband’s associates, blocking their exit.
In that moment, she began livestreaming the incident, fully aware that this could violate her signed agreement not to speak to the media. Since that day, Javadli has remained at home with her daughters, fearing repercussions and possible arrest. She claims they have not attended school during this time, and she emphasizes her actions were motivated by concern for her children’s safety.
The ongoing custody battle has raised significant concerns, not only for Javadli but also for the welfare of the children involved. As tensions continue to rise, the situation remains fluid, with both parents entrenched in their positions. The world watches as this high-stakes legal drama unfolds in the heart of Dubai.
