A man forged his wife's signature and official documentation to seize sole ownership of their Palm Jumeirah apartment, a Dubai court heard.
The Russian citizen, 60, allegedly used the fake signature to grant him power of attorney, which authorised him to issue a new title deed in his name for the property, which was jointly owned by the couple.
Dubai Court Criminal Court was told he also falsified Russian consulate and UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs stamps as part of the plan.
“We shared ownership of the apartment, but in April 2018 I discovered that my name was no longer on the title deed,” the man's wife, 41, said in evidence.
She was told that she had authorised the power of attorney, which her husband used to change ownership.
When she visited the Russian consulate to make inquiries, she was told that it had not stamped such a document.
On August 14 the same year, she was provided with an official letter from the Russian consulate stating that it had not stamped any power of attorney authorisation documents under her name.
The woman then lodged a report against her husband with police in Dubai.
He was subsequently charged with forgery, use of forged documents and illegally seizing ownership of an apartment.
The man is being prosecuted in his absence.
A verdict will be issued on August 31.
Test series fixtures
(All matches start at 2pm UAE)
1st Test Lord's, London from Thursday to Monday
2nd Test Nottingham from July 14-18
3rd Test The Oval, London from July 27-31
4th Test Manchester from August 4-8
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COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
Company%20Profile
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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Plan to boost public schools
A major shake-up of government-run schools was rolled out across the country in 2017. Known as the Emirati School Model, it placed more emphasis on maths and science while also adding practical skills to the curriculum.
It was accompanied by the promise of a Dh5 billion investment, over six years, to pay for state-of-the-art infrastructure improvements.
Aspects of the school model will be extended to international private schools, the education minister has previously suggested.
Recent developments have also included the introduction of moral education - which public and private schools both must teach - along with reform of the exams system and tougher teacher licensing requirements.
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Alan Rushbridger, Canongate
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Tomorrow 2021
The specs
Profile of Tarabut Gateway
Founder: Abdulla Almoayed
Based: UAE
Founded: 2017
Number of employees: 35
Sector: FinTech
Raised: $13 million
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Electric scooters: some rules to remember
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The specs
Engine: 0.8-litre four cylinder
Power: 70bhp
Torque: 66Nm
Transmission: four-speed manual
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On sale: Models from 1966 to 1970
'Worse than a prison sentence'
Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.
“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.
“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.
“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.
“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.
“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”