The former wife of a nephew of Dubai’s ruler has allegedly been detained amid an ongoing custody battle for their children.

Zeynab Javadli’s lawyer told news outlets her family and friends raised the alarm after losing contact with her since Tuesday night.

She had allegedly been facing threats and intimidation for years after divorcing her husband and was ordered to hand over the children to him two months ago, Ms Javadli’s lawyer David Haigh said.

Dubai’s Public Prosecution told the BBC the 34-year-old former gymnast was detained following a complaint made by her ex-husband and father of her three children, Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

He had accused her of abducting the children during a court-approved visitation session, BBC reported.

The Independent has reached out to Dubai’s Public Prosecution and David Haigh for comment.

Mr Haigh said Ms Javadli spent months largely confined to her home, fearing that security officers would arrest her and remove her children from her care. He said she was warned she could face “coercive force” unless she dropped her custody bid, which triggered a dispute with the kingdom’s ruling family.

Mr Haigh told The Sun: “Zeynab’s home in Dubai has now been confirmed as locked and empty. This was not unexpected.

“From the moment of her divorce from the ruler’s (Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum) nephew in 2019, Zeynab was subjected to horrific and unrelenting abuses: attacks on her home, threats of arrest, and a travel ban that made her, in every meaningful sense, a hostage in her own home.”

He said when the last raid happened at her home, she livestreamed it to the world, desperately appealing for international help.

In 2020, a young woman claiming to be Sheikha Zeynab Javadli, a former Azerbaijani gymnast, posted a video to her Instagram account. It apparently showed a “raid” on her home by people linked to her husband, The Independent’s Bel Trew reported.

The footage was widely shared online by campaigning groups including the Free Latifa campaign and Detained International. In it, she shouts that she is being persecuted. She claims to have been refused food and water and that her parents were being arrested.

The Independent could not independently verify the video or the allegations.

Mr Haigh urged the Emirates to provide Ms Javadli with immediate access to legal counsel, consular assistance, and to allow her to return to her home.

The Dubai Public Prosecution in a statement to BBC said the subject to ongoing legal proceedings.

“[We] will continue to take the necessary legal measures in accordance with applicable laws, while safeguarding the children’s wellbeing and best interests,” it added.

The airline shared an important reminder for passengers, especially travellers making long journeys

easyJet has urged passengers to stay hydrated and keep mobile during flights. The airline shared the guidance on its website, alongside other health tips, to help keep passengers safe in the air.

On a dedicated page about boarding and flying, easyJet highlights the risks of DVT (deep vein thrombosis), which is a blood clot in a vein. While rare, the condition can prove fatal, The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital explains. The NHS hospital explained: “Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot (also known as a thrombosis) that forms in a deep vein, most commonly in your leg or pelvis which can cause pain and swelling.

“If a clot becomes dislodged and passes through your blood vessels it can reach your lungs, this is called a pulmonary embolism which can cause breathlessness.” People who make long journeys face a higher risk of getting DVT.

According to The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital: “The risk of DVT within the general population is 1:1000. This risk is increased with long journeys (more than four hours), particularly flying. The evidence is less conclusive for shorter journeys and flights but if you are at high risk it would be worth taking precautions.”

easyJet shared similar advice on its website, alongside a number of practical tips for flyers. The airline said: “Sitting for long periods poses the greatest risk in developing DVT. Here are some useful tips:

• Drink plenty of water before, during and after the flight
• Keep mobile – walk around the cabin whenever you can
• Move about in your seat and change position
• Avoid crossing your legs
• Wear support tights.”

What does the NHS say about DVT and planes?

The NHS website states that you have a higher chance of getting DVT if you go on a long journey of more than four hours, by train, plane, or car. The guidance said: “If you’re travelling for four hours or more by plane, train or car, there are things you can do during the journey to lower your chances of getting DVT. These include:

• wearing loose clothing
• drinking plenty of water
• avoiding alcohol
• walking around when possible.”

According to the NHS, DVT is more likely for some people, including people who are aged over 60, smoke, have varicose veins, or take certain contraceptives. The NHS added that sometimes DVT happens for no obvious reason, reports the Mirror.

Health experts say symptoms of DVT in the leg include throbbing pain in one leg, swelling in one leg, swollen veins, and red, blue or darkened skin around the painful area. These symptoms could also appear in your arm if the clot is there.

“Sometimes the only symptom you may have is pain in your lower tummy. This is a symptom of pelvic vein thrombosis, but this is rare,” the NHS added.

The NHS said you should ask for an urgent GP appointment or contact NHS 111 if you think you have DVT. Call 999 or go to A&E if you have symptoms and feel short of breath or have chest pain.

The health authority explained: “DVT can be very serious because blood clots can travel to your lungs. This is called a pulmonary embolism. A pulmonary embolism can be life-threatening and needs treatment straight away.”

“A lot of people were disappointed with me coming to Yorkshire, but if you can change the mind of one person you’ve done a great job.

“Yorkshire have been doing a great job, so why not be part of that? There might be people from the same background as me, a South Asian background, who were probably hesitant to come and be themselves and play, and I don’t want anyone to ever think that.”

Performing for the team and helping to encourage inclusivity went hand in hand, he said.

“My main job is to perform and do well for the county, and hopefully win a trophy within the next two years but if you make any sort of difference…

“It’s such a vast area and there are a lot of South Asian players. Hopefully there can be a lot more players coming through the county system who don’t feel there are issues that could hold them back.

“I just want people to come and express themselves, play their game and enjoy the game with everybody else. There are ups and downs in cricket and in life but sometimes you’ve just got to deal with it.

“All the counties and ECB are trying to find ways and doing a good job. My dad always said to me that if you score a lot of runs, teams have to pick you, and that’s the main thing for a professional cricketer, to perform.

“You just want to make it easier for everyone, give them the idea that no matter what background you are from, no matter what you look like, no matter what you do, there is no sort of barrier in the way. That’s what it is about and that’s how it should be.”

Ali spoke about his desire to “build bridges” when he first signed for the club, but said his priority was to perform for his new county and help them to their first T20 Blast title.

He has already started to make good on that, with a 35-ball 50 against Derbyshire, and excellent economy rates as a bowler in his opening three matches.

“If I can come to Yorkshire and help us win the Blast within the next couple of years that will be amazing,” he said.”That will be one of my best achievements as a cricketer. I’m at the back end of my career and just want to win trophies.”

Residents in South Tees are being encouraged to sign the South Tees Carers Pledge as part of the awareness campaign, which takes place from June 8 to 14 and aims to highlight the vital work of unpaid carers and encourage support from individuals, businesses, and organisations.

The campaign is led by We Care You Care and supported by Middlesbrough Council, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, Carers Together, The Junction Foundation, and Teesside Mind.

Stacey Skilton, head of service at WithYou in Redcar and Cleveland and a workplace carers’ champion (Image: Supplied)

Stacey Skilton, head of service at WithYou in Redcar and Cleveland and a workplace carers’ champion, said: “Recognising and supporting carers is essential for every employer.

“Creating a workplace where carers feel valued strengthens relationships, improves staff retention, and builds a more resilient and compassionate workforce.”

This is the second year of the pledge campaign, which seeks to raise awareness of unpaid carers across South Tees.

An estimated 30,000 people in the area provide unpaid care to family members or friends.

Pat Matten, a carer from Saltburn (Image: Supplied)

Pat Matten, an unpaid carer from Saltburn, said: “Too often, carers are overlooked.

“There have been times when I’ve felt ignored as a carer and excluded from conversations about care, despite being the person providing most of the support at home.”

Unpaid carers support loved ones for reasons including illness, disability, mental health conditions, or substance dependency. Many balance this role alongside work, education, and family life.

Melanie Kendall, project lead for We Care You Care, said: “Many people don’t recognise themselves as carers because they see what they do as simply being a husband, wife, parent, child, or friend.

“But caring is a role that can have a significant impact on a person’s health, wellbeing, and daily life.

“Too often, carers miss out on support because they don’t identify themselves as carers or don’t know where to turn for help.

“This Carers Week, we want every unpaid carer across South Tees to feel seen, valued, and aware of the support available to them.”

Carers Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges unpaid carers face, and recognise their contribution to families and communities.

Information stands will be available at Parkway Shopping Centre in Coulby Newham and James Cook Hospital on Monday, June 8, and at Redcar Market on Friday, June 12.

A cordon is in place at the scene of the suspected assault

Two 13-year-old boys have been arrested after both suffered stab wounds. Suffolk Police were called to Hundred Acre Way in Red Lodge, near Newmarket, at around 7.20pm on Thursday (June 4).

Officers received reports that two teenage boys had been involved in a fight and a knife was seen. Both boys were reported to have left the area.

A short time later, officers were told one boy had been taken to hospital to treat stab wounds to his hand. The boy was later arrested on suspicion of assault causing grievous bodily harm.

The second boy was found in Beck Row and arrested later that evening for the same offence. The boy was also taken to hospital to treat stab wounds to his hand and leg.

A police spokesperson said: “Both boys have since been transported to Bury St Edmunds Police Investigation Centre for questioning. Police believe that the parties involved are known to each other and are not seeking anybody else in connection with the assault at this time.

“A scene is currently in place as an investigation into the full circumstances of the incident continues. Officers will be providing reassurance through high-visibility foot patrols in the area and encourage residents to approach officers if they have any concerns or information.”

Anyone with information should call police on 101 and quote incident 37/32055/26.

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