Egyptian actress Zeina denies assaulting a family during her stay at Atlantis The Palm in Dubai. AFP
Egyptian actress Zeina denies assaulting a family during her stay at Atlantis The Palm in Dubai. AFP
Egyptian actress Zeina denies assaulting a family during her stay at Atlantis The Palm in Dubai. AFP
Egyptian actress Zeina denies assaulting a family during her stay at Atlantis The Palm in Dubai. AFP

Prosecutors to consider charge of assault on a minor against Egyptian actress Zeina


Salam Al Amir
  • English
  • Arabic

A Dubai court has ordered prosecutors to reassess a case involving Egyptian actress Zeina to consider adding another charge against her for physically assaulting a minor.

On June 29 last year, the actress, 38, and her sister, 41, got into a physical fight with an Arab American family — a man, his wife and daughter — at Atlantis The Palm after she accused the daughter, 12, of taking photos of her.

According to court records, the celebrity and her sister also screamed at the family using “very strong language”.

Police were called and all involved were taken to Al Barsha police station.
At Dubai Court of Misdemeanours this month, the celebrity and her sister denied physically assaulting and insulting the man and his wife.

The man denied a counter charge of physically assaulting the actress. His wife, who did not attend court that day to enter a plea, is also charged with physical assault.

During court proceedings, the family’s lawyer, Emirati Awatif Mohammed from Al Rowaad Advocates, said medical reports proved that the family, including the daughter, sustained injuries as a result of the attack.

She called for Zeina and her sister to be additionally charged with assaulting the daughter but said there was no evidence to show that the family had attacked Zeina or her sister in response.
"Today's verdict ordered prosecutors to look into an extra charge against the actress for physically assaulting my client's daughter," said Ms Mohammed.
She said prosecutors were also ordered to investigate whether the wife and daughter had taken pictures or recorded videos of the actress during the incident.

A second hearing will be scheduled once prosecutors carry out their investigations as per the court order.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:

- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools

- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say

- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance

- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs

- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills

- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month

- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues

Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence 

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Mamo 

 Year it started: 2019 Founders: Imad Gharazeddine, Asim Janjua

 Based: Dubai, UAE

 Number of employees: 28

 Sector: Financial services

 Investment: $9.5m

 Funding stage: Pre-Series A Investors: Global Ventures, GFC, 4DX Ventures, AlRajhi Partners, Olive Tree Capital, and prominent Silicon Valley investors. 

 

In Full Flight: A Story of Africa and Atonement
John Heminway, Knopff

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

How to apply for a drone permit
  • Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
  • Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
  • Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
  • Submit their request
What are the regulations?
  • Fly it within visual line of sight
  • Never over populated areas
  • Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
  • Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
  • Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
  • Should have a live feed of the drone flight
  • Drones must weigh 5 kg or less