Syrian TV star to appeal conviction for insulting fellow actress

DUBAI // A TV star who accused another actress of sleeping with her husband and destroying her marriage was found guilty of issuing insults.

Dima Bayaa, 36, the Syrian star of TV shows such as Sabaya, was convicted and fined Dh5,000 by Dubai Court of Misdemeanours despite her denial of the accusations made by Syrian actress, Nesreen Tafesh, 32.

The case was brought to prosecutors in September last year by Nesreen Tafesh, who starred in Assarab and Banat Alayla – and also appeared in the first episode of Sabaya. Both women were living in the UAE at the time of the incident.

The first hearing in court was held on January 7 this year.

The man at the centre of the love triangle is Bayaa's ex-husband, Taim Hasan, 38, Syrian star of TV shows such as Conflict on the Sand. The couple, who have two children, were divorced last year after 10 years of marriage.

In comments published online, Bayaa said Tafesh was “the head of the snake” and accused her of being responsible for the break-up of her marriage.

Bayaa said she had taken Tafesh into their marital home as a friend, but Tafesh had taken advantage of their friendship by having a sexual relationship with her husband.

Last January, the actress denied a charge of issuing insults while Tafesh was not in court.

At the end of August this year, Dima was convicted and fined Dh5,000 but she appealed the verdict.

The Court of Appeal will hear the case on October 11.