UAE | Crime

Community left shaken by feuding brothel operators

A terrified Gulf News reader called in saying he had seen pools of blood on every floor of his building.

By Siham Al Najami, Staff Reporter, Gulf News
Published: 00:00 November 23, 2009

Image Credit: Oliver Clarke, Gulf News
The blood-spattered hallway leading to apartment 118 of the X24 block at International City with a private security guard watching the entrance to the apartment.

Dubai: Pools of blood and other tell-tale signs of gang fights have left residents of International City petrified, with many saying they want to leave for good in view of the increasing number of violent incidents in the community.

Residents of the X24 block in the England Cluster on Sunday woke up to the sight of bloodstains on every staircase of the three-storey structure. A trickle of blood near the entrance of the building led to an alarming trail up the staircase, with the walls and floors splattered in red.

A terrified Gulf News reader called in saying he had seen pools of blood on every floor of his building.

"Police knocked on our doors past midnight asking for our nationalities. I didn't dare leave my apartment, but when I left for work this morning I was horrified to see pools of blood in the entire building. I ran ... I am scared to go there again," he said.

Police declined to comment since the case is under investigation. Sources, however, told Gulf News that Asian gangs running brothels had been fighting over clients. A few arrests were made, while some of the accused are on the run. Those involved in the fight suffered minor cuts.

A police official said a raid is only conducted once officers have secured a court warrant and in full compliance with legal procedures but refused to comment on the incident.

Residents said they did not know of the brothel and were not aware of the presence of the gang but had often seen fights in the area and police patrols monitoring the area.

A resident, who has been living in the building for the past four months, claimed: "I don't know anything about the residents of that flat, but from what I have heard there were four Chinese prostitutes. I have never seen them as I live on the first floor and they reside on the third floor. A couple of times my wife and I found flyers on our doorstep about body massage offers in the building. It looked suspicious to me," he said.

Another resident claimed: "I came to my flat this morning to find my door broken down. I know that the police were raiding flats and no one responded in my house, but how could they leave it open like this without putting up signage or locking it. I have personal items in the flat."

Some residents said they had already started looking for other accommodation as they feel unsafe. "I live with my wife and luckily she is out of the country, otherwise she would have been distressed. I can't let her live in such circumstances," he said.

Do you face any issues in International City? Do you feel safe living there? Tell us what happened by clicking on the “Post a comment” link below.

Comments (25)

Added 13:33 November 24, 2009

i'm living in international city sience 4 years. and i have seen so many problem in this area. specially in china cluster.. before four months i moved to england cluster and my flat in x-03 building.. since 3 months my building lift is not working .. we try to contact the developer but they said they are not responsible about england cluster.. we contact with security always they said it is under maintainance.. untill now we are suffering the problem.. i try to cancell my contract but the owner of the flat tell me i rent to you only the flat not lift ... now we want to ask who is the responsible for those problem ?? should we leave the international city??

Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 11:33 November 24, 2009

I am IC Resident for 2 years now, I am staying in IC, will Stay in IC as I can't afford another area of Dubai. IC is becoming unsafe as other readers said. Regular & extensive petroling is there but still no end to fights, thefts, robberies and other things. If someone is saying IC is safe that means he doesn't know his own community!!! Moreover, readers are also responsible for safety of their surroundings.... call al shaheen if you feel unsafe or if you suspect something wrong!!! give all this massage centers card to the service of police.... all can't run away and change their homes, the solution is to make IC better on our own.

Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 11:21 November 24, 2009

I agree with the concerns expressed by most of the readers about the hardships facing by living in IC. I am a property owner and living with my family in IC for last one year. When we started living in IC the things were much better and time passes the maintenence and security of the area becomes worse. The street lights (even the mainroad after 1st interchange) is switched off the whole night which also causes accidents. Due to non maintenance of landscapes it is very difficult for parents to allow their children to go out and play. The Big round about is not maintained and authorities are not even bothered to landscape this area. We are only paying the maintenance charges for nothing. I hope Gulf news will bring readers concerns to the concerned autorities.

Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 19:16 November 23, 2009

I am an owner from Frace Q4 & France Q2,I totally agree with all the comments which the people have made because all the points mentioned are very true. More importance is given to small issues like installing a satellite dish on the roof of the building because as per them it inteferes with the beautification of the IC.They have many major issues to sort and make it a secure place for the residents rather then concentrating on small ones.Hope they open thier eyes now.There is no proper mosque built for the whole IC.One security guard have to be there in each building. After all we are paying for the maintenace but its all going in waste.

Javed Kazi, Mumbai, India

Added 18:46 November 23, 2009

Me too stayin in international city for last 10 months,it was a nice place when i moved inn,but now it's like....(sorry no words to describe)! The full blame goes to the company maintaining it (if any)..i feel there's no one bothered about that place...and still can't figure out y there's still more construction goin on with tht sewage plant operating ?Wht's the actual plan?..this place stinks during the night..even inside the house ..sometimes! many people r just moving in bcos of the low rents i think. And the traffic is so so bad in the morning n evening with 3 narrow lanes movin in and out ?was this the plan for so many flats there?only 3 lanes in & out ?strange......not the developer but also the people who approved it also should be questioned? anyways..just waitin for my contract 2 expire and just move out..... And yes,i'm a BACHELOR renting a studio flat alone...do any so called "family people" have any problems?..we also have a family you know!

Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 18:09 November 23, 2009

I do not agree with the guy who wrote that he is staying since three years in China cluster and never had any problem. May be he never had any problem. It does not mean that he is in safe heaven. I am staying since one year in Int'l city and have seen/heard many incidents in happened in this community. My own house was robbed when I went for a short vacation with my family.

Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 18:05 November 23, 2009

im working in international city and never feel safe. the area its full of the Garbage and no security guard at all If you call to the security office for any reason they wouldn't bother, especially had an experience when I called them and one lady was there with very bad attitude and like she ignored and was shouting at my colleague. People are paying for the maintenance but even the main things have problem.

From A Reader, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 17:40 November 23, 2009

Although International City is convenient and easily accessible to other areas of Dubai, the development and maintenance of the area is hopeless. I am an owner and resident of this area. The street lights are off always in the night, Landscaping is very poor and a threat to safety of drivers and pedestrians. The single road access and exit makes life miserable in the morning and evening. Authorities needs to focus on all these areas to retain the purpose of making such a beautiful concept of blending different cultural themes in a place.

Sisil Nayanan, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 16:29 November 23, 2009

The place stinks so bad, the sewage treatment plant is near, how can you live in a place like that?

Jay John, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 16:26 November 23, 2009

I agree with most of the comments. i am a resident of International City & just waiting for my contract to get over so i can move from here. it used to be a quite n nice place to stay where one could relax after the hectic Day at work. but now its no more safe. i still don't know the reason of Lights being off during night & why there is no maintenance of landscape. i stay in building where Common AC is not working since last month and a half but no one seems to be bothered. its not forum for complain but i am just taking the opportunity to share my opinion & hope something will be done to make this place better for living.

Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates