The UAE has strengthened its reputation as a key partner in global law enforcement, extraditing a string of high-profile fugitives over the past year in collaboration with international authorities.
They have included alleged drug lords and financial criminals, and the country's growing role reflects deepening judicial co-operation with Europe and Asia.
Money laundering charges
On Friday, Dubai Police extradited a Dutch national accused of drug trafficking and money laundering to the Netherlands. The suspect was arrested under an Interpol red notice and handed over following a ruling by the UAE's Ministry of Justice.
The case comes amid a broader crackdown on organised crime networks operating across borders.
A week earlier, two other suspects – one wanted in France, and the other in Belgium – were extradited for their alleged roles in large-scale drug trafficking and gang-related activities.
In July, Dubai Police arrested and extradited three alleged Belgian crime gang leaders facing human and drug trafficking charges in their home country.
The three suspects – Mathias Akyazili, Giorgi Faes and Othman El Ballouti – were listed in the most-wanted category by Interpol and Europol.
In Belgium, they are accused of serious cross-border crimes, including operating a gang, trafficking drugs and psychotropic substances, committing robbery and human trafficking.
In the same month, Dubai Police extradited two French nationals facing fraud and drug trafficking charges.
Chinese fugitive returned
On August 15, the UAE extradited one of China's most-wanted fugitives, accused of running a multi-million-dollar illegal gambling operation.
The man, arrested in Dubai, was handed over to Chinese authorities under an Interpol red notice after being linked to a network that laundered profits through offshore accounts.
“The Chinese authorities expressed their appreciation for the UAE's co-operation and their keenness to enhance co-operation and joint action to ensure the security of societies and the international community,” state news agency Wam reported.
Landmark for UAE-Ireland co-operation
One of the UAE's most significant extraditions was on May 29, with the handover of Sean McGovern, who is alleged to be a senior figure in Ireland's Kinahan organised crime group.
He was detained in Dubai in 2024 following an Interpol red notice – was flown to Dublin on an Irish military aircraft.
The operation was the first major test of an extradition treaty between Ireland and the UAE that came into force earlier in May.
While Jim O’Callaghan, Ireland's Minister for Justice, did not name Mr McGovern directly, he welcomed news of an extradition and described it as “further evidence of the excellent criminal justice co-operation” between Ireland and the UAE.
“In recent years, the UAE and Ireland have worked together to advance criminal investigations into serious and organised crime,” Mr O’Callaghan said at the time.
Financial crimes also in focus
The UAE's extraditions are not limited to violent or drug-related offences. In August 2024, Italian businessman Danilo Coppola, was extradited to Italy following an official request.
The Italian citizen, who has been convicted of financial crimes in his homeland, was apprehended in Abu Dhabi on an international arrest warrant.
According to local media, Coppola's altercations with law enforcement include an arrest in Rome in May 2016 where he was suspected of fraudulent bankruptcy. One month earlier, he had been sentenced to nine years for bankruptcies totalling €300 million ($334.3 million, Dh1.2 billion).
Coppola's extradition reflected the UAE and Italy's strong relationship and shared determination to pursue justice, the countries' justice ministers said in a joint statement.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
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- 400m Olympic running track
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- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
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- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
THE LIGHT
Director: Tom Tykwer
Starring: Tala Al Deen, Nicolette Krebitz, Lars Eidinger
Rating: 3/5
Scorebox
Dubai Hurricanes 31 Dubai Sports City Eagles 22
Hurricanes
Tries: Finck, Powell, Jordan, Roderick, Heathcote
Cons: Tredray 2, Powell
Eagles
Tries: O’Driscoll 2, Ives
Cons: Carey 2
Pens: Carey
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
HIJRA
Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy
Director: Shahad Ameen
Rating: 3/5
The years Ramadan fell in May
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
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The seven points are:
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
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- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
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Company%20profile
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
Messi at the Copa America
2007 – lost 3-0 to Brazil in the final
2011 – lost to Uruguay on penalties in the quarter-finals
2015 – lost to Chile on penalties in the final
2016 – lost to Chile on penalties in the final
Intercontinental Cup
Namibia v UAE Saturday Sep 16-Tuesday Sep 19
Table 1 Ireland, 89 points; 2 Afghanistan, 81; 3 Netherlands, 52; 4 Papua New Guinea, 40; 5 Hong Kong, 39; 6 Scotland, 37; 7 UAE, 27; 8 Namibia, 27
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Our legal advisor
Ahmad El Sayed is Senior Associate at Charles Russell Speechlys, a law firm headquartered in London with offices in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Hong Kong.
Experience: Commercial litigator who has assisted clients with overseas judgments before UAE courts. His specialties are cases related to banking, real estate, shareholder disputes, company liquidations and criminal matters as well as employment related litigation.
Education: Sagesse University, Beirut, Lebanon, in 2005.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Why seagrass matters
- Carbon sink: Seagrass sequesters carbon up to 35X faster than tropical rainforests
- Marine nursery: Crucial habitat for juvenile fish, crustations, and invertebrates
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The biog
Family: He is the youngest of five brothers, of whom two are dentists.
Celebrities he worked on: Fabio Canavaro, Lojain Omran, RedOne, Saber Al Rabai.
Where he works: Liberty Dental Clinic
