Dubai hotel rape case dismissed

Hmmm, why wasn't the hotel's CCTV footage checked immediately?  Hmmm, the couple concerned have consistently been reported as being in Dubai to celebrate their engagement yet now it seems they forgot they were married on 19 November last year, and suddenly they have the marriage certificate to prove it.  Hmmm, how is it that the couple are standing trial for consuming alcohol when they were inside a 'licenced' hotel?  Are tourists in Dubai being made aware that they risk arrest if they have an alcoholic drink in a hotel bars in Dubai?  Is it entrapment for the hotels to provide bars which serve alcohol when surely they must be aware that their customers risk arrest for partaking? 
Source: WAM/Arabian Business
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Dubai's public prosecution on Thursday said a case of a British woman who claimed she was raped in the bathroom of a top hotel in the emirate on New Year's Eve had been closed.
The woman alleged that she was sexually attacked by an Indian hotel worker at The Address Hotel in Dubai Marina.
Attorney General Essam Al Humaidan said the investigation into the allegations had been completed and prosecutors had decided to close the charge against the Indian worker "as the incident didn't happen", news agency WAM reported.
He said the public prosecution had also decided to dismiss the count of consensual rape against the British girl and her friend after the duo showed the court a marriage certificate dated November 16 2009.
He said that they would only stand trial for consuming alcohol without a permission.
The Dubai Attorney General attacked the way the case had been reported in some sections of the international press.
"All these untrue reports have not, in any way, affected resolutions the Dubai Public Prosecution has taken in the case as these measures have been taken after thorough investigation in virtue of the criminal procedures law which is being enforced on all without discrimination in regards to nationality, religion or race," he added.
The British woman had claimed that she was attacked by a waiter while semi-conscious in a hotel toilet.
However, the police said closed-circuit television footage has confirmed that the suspect did not enter the bathroom after her

Four Seasons' Dubai hotel scrapped

From Middle East Hotelier 15 and 18 June '09
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The first Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts UAE property scheduled to open in 2011 at Dubai Festival City will no longer go ahead after construction was called off by developer Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate (AFGRE).
The 400-room hotel was expected to complete the Four Seasons Golf Club development in the Al Badia district of Dubai Festival City when it opened in 2011.
“It’s always been the owner's intent to have the golf club as part of the hotel operator’s [Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts] badge, but given the fact the hotel is not going forward the golf club will be re-branded,” said Four Seasons Dubai Festival City regional vice president and general manager Bahram Sepahi.
InterContinental Dubai Festival City will operate Al Badia Golf Club having secured the management contract from developer Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate (AFGRE).
The former Four Seasons Golf Club, situated in the Al Badia district of Dubai Festival City, will be re-branded Al Badia Golf Club by InterContinental Dubai Festival City from July 1.
The news follows an exclusive report by HME on Monday that complex master developer and manager AFGRE had called off construction on the first UAE Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts property — expected to complete the golf-club development when it opened in 2011 — resulting in the rebranding of the golf club.
“We're proud that InterContinental has been selected to manage the prestigious Al Badia Golf Club. This is testament to the excellent relationship that has been fostered with Al-Futtaim and recognises the strength and global consistency of the InterContinental brand,” said IHG chief operating officer for the Middle East and Africa John Bamsey.
The golf club will be an extension of IHG's current Dubai Festival City portfolio that includes the InterContinental Dubai Festival City, Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City and InterContinental Residence Suites. AFGRE senior managing director Brett Schafer commented: “The selection of IHG to manage and operate the 7303-yard, Robert Trent Jones II-designed Al Badia golf course and clubhouse is consistent with Al-Futtaim’s strategic relationship with IHG.
“The marriage of the well-known Al Badia brand with IHG's globally acknowledged management expertise promises to further enhance Dubai Festival City's international image as an outstanding business and lifestyle destination with great hospitality and leisure offerings,” added Schafer.