Zeynab Javadli, the ex-wife of Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, nephew of Dubai's ruler, has been missing along with her three daughters since Tuesday night, August 25, 2026 [1, 2, 3]. Contact was lost with Javadli that night, and her home in Dubai was found locked and empty with the locks changed on Wednesday, August 26 [1, 3].
British human rights lawyer David Haigh, who represents Javadli, said he last spoke to her on Tuesday night before she "vanished" [1, 2, 3]. Javadli had expressed fears for her safety, believing that security officers were waiting to take away her children and arrest her [1, 2]. Her mother, who recently arrived in Dubai, found the house empty and contacted local police as well as the Azerbaijani consulate [1, 3].
Javadli has been involved for several years in a bitter custody dispute with her ex-husband Sheikh Saeed, who has accused her in court of being an unfit mother, neglecting their children’s schooling, and endangering one child’s health [1, 2]. Last year, Javadli livestreamed a confrontation with Dubai police, calling for help and saying, "I knew that it was the last chance to be with my children as they would never let me see them again. I genuinely believed that it was my last chance, so I just opened a livestream and called for help" [1]. She faces possible arrest over alleged electronic crimes related to the livestream [1, 2, 3].
Dubai Public Prosecution stated on August 26 that Javadli was taken into custody following a complaint by her ex-husband alleging that she abducted the children during a court-authorized visitation [2]. The prosecution said it is investigating the custody case and ongoing legal proceedings, adding, "[We] will continue to take the necessary legal measures in accordance with applicable laws, while safeguarding the children's wellbeing and best interests" [2].
However, some sources continue to report Javadli as missing with no known location, while the prosecution confirms her custodial status [1, 2, 3].
The next steps include ongoing investigations by Dubai Public Prosecution into the custody dispute and related allegations, with no immediate public update expected.
