Activist told to stop using villa as women's shelter

Dubai: A controversial woman activist has been ordered by the Dubai Municipality to vacate a villa that she uses as a shelter for abused women, following complaints from nearby residents.

The Ministry of Justice has also warned her against "illegally housing" the women in the villa. Ministry officials have warned the woman that "grouping a number of people without receiving prior permission from the authorities is considered a punishable offence, according to the Federal Penal Code," judicial sources told Gulf News yesterday.

The woman has been ordered to disband "the unlawful grouping" as described by the ministry.

The Building Inspection Section at the municipality has warned the woman that she should vacate the villa because she is violating its planning code for the city.

"The woman is using the villa to group a large number of women in a residential area. This area, according to the planning of the city, is only for families. Many families who live in the area have complained to the municipality that there are groups of women staying in the villa," the official said.

He said each area in Dubai is allocated for special usage. "We have started a campaign during which we are inspecting areas to find out whether anyone is offending the planning code of the city," he said.

"The woman should move out of the villa. If she does not, the municipality will disconnect its water and electricity supply," the official said.