DUBAI // A former minister of state, accused of a multimillion-dirham fraud, could face further charges for allegedly intimidating the sister of his former business partner into a settlement agreement.
The former minister appeared in Dubai Misdemeanours Court yesterday and pleaded not guilty to charges of betrayal of trust, deception and unlawfully taking possession of money and property belonging to his late Lebanese business partner and his heirs.
The minister was relieved of his Cabinet post in July after he was indicted.
Judge Hamad Abdul Jawad adjourned the case until Oct 20.
The late businessman's sister filed a complaint earlier this year against the minister, who claimed to own 51 per cent of her late brother's business, Global Information Technology.
She said that in fact, the minister was a salaried employee and had no claim on the company.
She claimed that in 2005 the minister deceived her into signing a settlement agreement, under which she forfeited a substantial portion of the business and property her brother owned in Dubai.
Her attorney, Hassan Arab, asked the prosecution and the court yesterday to charge the minister with using threats to force his client to sign the agreement.
hbathish@thenational.ae
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
South and West: From a Notebook
Joan Didion
Fourth Estate
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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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If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League, last-16, second leg (first-leg scores in brackets):
PSG (2) v Manchester United (0)
Midnight (Thursday), BeIN Sports
Strait of Hormuz
Fujairah is a crucial hub for fuel storage and is just outside the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route linking Middle East oil producers to markets in Asia, Europe, North America and beyond.
The strait is 33 km wide at its narrowest point, but the shipping lane is just three km wide in either direction. Almost a fifth of oil consumed across the world passes through the strait.
Iran has repeatedly threatened to close the strait, a move that would risk inviting geopolitical and economic turmoil.
Last month, Iran issued a new warning that it would block the strait, if it was prevented from using the waterway following a US decision to end exemptions from sanctions for major Iranian oil importers.