The former wife of a member of Dubai's ruling family, Zeynab Javadli, has expressed fear of arrest as tensions rise in her ongoing custody battle with ex-husband Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Following their divorce in 2019, Javadli has faced serious accusations from her ex regarding the kidnapping of their three daughters.

In recent weeks, the situation has intensified with claims from both parents of kidnapping during custody exchanges. Amid this chaos, Javadli admitted to livestreaming a moment of desperation as she sought help after not being reunited with her children. This act, while urgent, has raised the potential of her facing legal consequences for violating agreements set forth by officials in Dubai.

Javadli’s previous custody arrangement, which had offered her effective custody of the children until they turned 18, appears to have been undermined by recent court decisions. Javadli has been shielding herself and her daughters at home, worried about repercussions from authorities while the children remain out of school. The narrative also highlights a disturbing context for women's rights within UAE's opulent facade, emphasizing the harsh realities some face behind closed doors.