The Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeals State Security Chamber on Friday convicted and sentenced members of the organised crime group known as the Bahloul Gang.
The court sentenced 18 people to life imprisonment, handed out 46 sentences of 15 years in prison and jailed 16 for five years, along with a fine of Dh1 million. In addition, the court confiscated funds, properties, vehicles and weapons linked to their crimes, Wam reported. A number of defendants were acquitted.
In August last year, UAE Attorney General Dr Hamad Saif Al Shamsi ordered the referral of the organised criminal group – numbering more than 100 alleged members – to trial for committing crimes that jeopardised state security, public order, and societal safety. This followed a seven-month-long investigation by prosecutors.
The gang, which Wam said gave itself the name of Bahloul Gang, was formed, managed, and joined with for the intent of engaging in unlawful activities, amassing illicit funds, and distributing proceeds among its members. It established dominance in certain areas, promoted its criminal activities on social media platforms and used prohibited weapons and tools to instil fear and intimidation in victims, Wam reported.
The gang was involved in extorting money from victims through coercion to further its criminal objectives. Additionally, mmebers engaged in money laundering to conceal and disguise the sources of their illegal proceeds, reported Wam.
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Umtiti (8'), Griezmann (29' pen), Dembele (63')
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
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The specs
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
The details
Heard It in a Past Life
Maggie Rogers
(Capital Records)
3/5
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Women's squad: Hamda Al Shekheili, Shouq Al Dhanhani, Balqis Abdullah, Sharifa Al Namani, Asma Al Hosani, Maitha Sultan, Bashayer Al Matrooshi, Maha Al Hanaei, Shamma Al Kalbani, Haya Al Jahuri, Mahra Mahfouz, Marwa Al Hosani, Tasneem Al Jahoori and Maryam Al Amri
The Bio
Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
Favourite place to relax in UAE: the desert around Al Mleiha in Sharjah or the eastern mangroves in Abu Dhabi
The one book everyone should read: 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It will make your mind fly
Favourite documentary: Chasing Coral by Jeff Orlowski. It's a good reality check about one of the most valued ecosystems for humanity
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- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
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