Man charged over smear campaign against ex-wife

Dubai: A man has been accused of posting private pictures of his ex-wife on the internet in an attempt to coerce her into waiving ownership of a car in his favour.

Prosecutors accused the 34-year-old Egyptian man of bringing shame to his 30-year-old countrywoman by posting on the internet and on social networking sites what prosecutors described as ‘private and family photos which were taken for the woman when she was his wife'.

The suspect was also accused of threatening his ex-wife that he would ruin her reputation and expose her ‘private and family secrets' by publishing photos of her on various social networking forums.

The suspect, however, pleaded not guilty before the Dubai Misdemeanour Court and strongly denied the charges against him.

He told the judge: "For a start, she is not my divorcee. She is still my wife until this minute. I ask the court to grant me some time to be able to submit my defence."

Defence argument

The woman's lawyer stressed that the suspect had resorted to a very ‘immoral and inappropriate' act by publishing private and family photos of his client to pressure her to waive ownership of the car. The lawyer expressed his strong surprise as to how a man could do such a thing to his ex-wife.

"The defendant threatened to defame his divorced wife by publishing her private photos to coerce her to waive the ownership of the car because there is a case taking place between them at the Sharia Court. When my client didn't comply with what he wanted, he executed his threats. He posted on the internet indecent and private family photos that were taken while she was still his wife.

Compensation claim

"My client suffered unbearable and severe damages due to what happened. She was humiliated after what happened… everyone who knows her from friends and relatives saw the photos. She suffered emotional and psychological damages as her reputation has been ruined because of the suspect's obscene behaviour and attitude. We are seeking Dh20,000 in temporary compensation against my client's damages," said the lawyer requesting a quick judgement in the case.

The defendant was spotted smiling at the plaintiff on his way out of the courtroom as the latter looked down in embarrassment avoiding eye contact with him.