DUBAI // A tourist called his hotel’s reception desk claiming to be member of ISIL and told staff he had a bomb and would blow up the building, Dubai Criminal Court was told.
M A, 47, from Saudi Arabia, called the receptionist at the InterContinental hotel in Festival City and claimed he had explosives and would detonate them from his room.
Prosecutors said M A was drunk when he made the call on October 4 to 30-year-old A A from Egypt.
“It was nearly 5.30pm when the man called and said he was from ISIS [ISIL], then demanded that we send someone to his room or else he would bomb the place,” said A A.
Police were called and arrested M A. He was charged with issuing threats to bomb a hotel and with consuming alcohol without a license.
“I do not remember what happened, I was very drunk and unaware of anything,” M A told the court. “When I became aware I found myself at Al Rashidiya police station.”
The case was adjourned until November 22.
salamir@thenational.ae
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
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More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
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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.
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Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
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Dobromir Radichkov, chief data officer at dubizzle and Bayut, offers a few tips for UAE residents looking to earn some cash from pre-loved items.
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- It’s important to use clear and appealing photos, with catchy titles and detailed descriptions to capture the attention of prospective buyers.
- Try to advertise a realistic price to attract buyers looking for good deals, especially in the current environment where consumers are significantly more price-sensitive.
- Be creative and look around your home for valuable items that you no longer need but might be useful to others.
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Founder: Namrata Raina
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
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Investment stage: Pre-seed
Initial investment: Undisclosed
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Dream City: San Francisco
Hometown: Dubai
City of birth: Thiruvilla, Kerala
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