Dubai: An Australian father accused of “hiding” his two children, ages two and four, from their mother has been detained by Abu Dhabi Police.

An Abu Dhabi Police official in Khalifa City yesterday confirmed to Gulf News that Wolfgang Trezise, an Abu Dhabi resident, is in custody pending investigation of cases filed against him by his estranged wife, Elizabeth Glanville, including failing to hand over their two children despite a court order dated May 15.

Dr Khalfan Al Kaabi, Trezise’s lawyer, told Gulf News that his client was not arrested, but voluntarily went to the police to present a new court order to freeze the May 15 court ruling that granted his wife custody of the children.

“The reason for the stay of execution was to allow Mr Trezise an opportunity to return with the children to the family home, which is co-owned by him and Ms Elizabeth,” Dr Al Kaabi said, adding his client wanted the police to assist him in getting access to the family home so he could return with the children.

But Trezise was detained pending investigation of other complaints against him by his wife. When asked about the two children’s whereabouts, the lawyer said he had no information.

Gulf News on May 29 published Glanville’s plea to help find her children who were last spotted with another woman at Spinneys in Sas Al Nakhl Village in Abu Dhabi on May 22.

Glanville claimed her estranged husband was supposed to return the children on May 10, but did not do so.

Divorce proceedings

The couple is in the process of getting a divorce.

Glanville said: “I will follow the laws of the UAE and the court order says the kids should be with me. I hope justice would be served.”

In an earlier emailed statement, Trezise told Gulf News that he had intended to return the children, but learnt that his wife wanted to keep his children away from him.

“My fear for abduction and never seeing my girls again was paramount — given the way she’s failed to take care of them in the past,” Trezise said, referring to Glanville.

Trezise said he and his wife had “marital differences”, but he stressed that everything he is doing is in “the interest” of their children.

“It was not my intention to publicly speak out … [I] will do anything to protect my children and over the past three weeks that is exactly what I have been doing … protecting my children,” Trezise said.