(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) In a day of high drama which dragged late into the night on Sunday, Dubai Police continued to negotiate with an Uzbek woman who entered the Public Prosecution headquarters in Bur Dubai earlier in the day with her child and threatened to blow herself up.
The woman claimed she was wearing an explosives belt and the Government of Dubai Media Office said she "threatened to blow herself up if she doesn't receive help to end a personal dispute to prove the fatherhood of her child".
"Dubai Police immediately evacuated the building and the surrounding area taking all precautionary measures to secure the place and ensure the safety of all individuals who are in the vicinity of the building," the Press statement by the Government of Dubai Media Office said.
It added that a team of negotiators was talking to the woman to look into her demand and secure a peaceful end to the incident. The woman had requested the attendance of her lawyer in an indication that the situation would end soon.
"Preliminary assessment of the incident shows that the woman resorted to this extreme action in an attempt to attract attention and win sympathy that may help her put an end to this family dispute," the statement said.
Dubai Police said all necessary precautions had been taken and they were negotiating with the woman to ensure her safety and the safety of her child and prevent any action that would cause harm to them and others in the area.
Sources said the woman entered the building around noon and wanted to meet senior officials to explain her plight.
The sources said she had previously visited the prosecution headquarters several times and that problems with her husband drove her to this desperate act.
A picture of the evacuated building main hall was circulated by an unknown source after the incident was first reported.
An advocate told Khaleej Times that if the woman was indeed carrying explosives, she would get a stiff penalty. The penalty would depend on whether the act results in the damage of public or private property.
"She disrupted a public department after the authorities had to evacuate it. The staff had to be put out of work. Besides, her talk about carrying explosives and her threats of using them could have resulted in a public panic and disorder, or led to problems for staff or visitors and customers with diseases such as diabetes or heart illness," the counsel said.
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