ISLAMABAD – The estranged wife of the ruler of Dubai has applied for aforced marriage protection order, a London court heard Tuesday.
Princess Haya, 45, a wife of 70-year-old United Arab Emirates PrimeMinister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, has applied for the order,as well as wardship of their children and for a non-molestation orderrelating to herself, the High Court heard.
The details of the Forced Marriage Protection Order sought by the princessare not known, Britain’s domestic Press Association news agency reported.
The couple are locked in a legal battle over their children’s welfare,being heard by judge Andrew McFarlane, the president of the family divisionof the High Court of England and Wales.
The case is being heard at the Royal Courts of Justice complex in London,with a preliminary hearing taking place Tuesday.
The judge allowed media to report that Princess Haya had made theapplications.
The court also heard that Sheikh Mohammed has applied to the High Court forthe summary return of the children to Dubai.
Princess Haya is a daughter of the late King Hussein of Jordan and ahalf-sister of King Abdullah II of Jordan.
The orders can be used to help someone who is being forced into marriage oris already in a forced marriage.
They can be applied for by the person to be protected by the order, or forsomeone else by a relevant third party or another person with the court’spermission to do so.
“Force can include physical force, as well as being pressurisedemotionally, being threatened or being a victim of psychological abuse,”according to the legislation on protection orders.
McFarlane rejected a bid by Sheikh Mohammed’s lawyers for certain detailsto be subject to reporting restrictions.
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“There is a public interest in the public understanding, in very broadterms, proceedings that are before the court,” he said.
McFarlane earlier decided that only accredited journalists with media basedwithin the jurisdiction of England and Wales were allowed to sit in on theproceedings.
Reporters from media organisations not based in the UK were in attendancebut were told they could not hear the proceedings.
Haya arrived at the court accompanied by her lawyer Fiona Shackleton, whorepresented Prince Charles, the heir to the British throne, in his divorcefrom Diana, princess of Wales.
Sheikh Mohammed is being represented by Helen Ward, who acted for GuyRitchie in his divorce from pop star Madonna and for former Formula Onemotor racing supremo Bernie Ecclestone in his divorce.
The Dubai ruler was not in court.
A small anti-Sheikh Mohammed demonstration took place outside the courtscomplex.
The two-day preliminary hearing is set to continue on Wednesday.
Princess Haya is the estranged wife of United Arab Emirates Prime MinisterSheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum. APP/AFP
