No foul play in Congolese businessman’s death: Dubai Police

Dubai - Dokolo's family announced his death in a statement posted to his Twitter account.

No foul play has been suspected in the death of Congolese businessman Sindika Dokolo who drowned on Thursday, the Dubai Police have said.

"On October 29, the police command-and-control centre received an emergency call about a person who drowned, while practising freediving near Umm Al Hatab Island, north of Deira Island,” said Maj-Gen Khalil Ibrahim Al Mansouri, assistant commander-in-chief for criminal investigation affairs at the Dubai Police.

“The incident took place seven nautical miles off the coast. Our marine rescue teams immediately dispatched for a search mission and found the man motionless after performing Al Hiyari — a form of underwater dive that relies on breath-holding rather than the use of breathing apparatus such as scuba gear.”

Maj-Gen Al Mansouri said the force investigated the circumstances, took statements of the deceased's friends and reviewed the results of the forensic report — all of which concluded that there was no criminal intent behind the death.

Dokolo's family announced his death in a statement posted to his Twitter account. It’s said that 48-year-old Dokolo had years of diving experience and always spoke passionately about it.

Dokolo and dos Santos, daughter of Jose Eduardo dos Santos who ruled Angola for 38 years until 2017, reportedly faced corruption charges. The deceased had interests in oil and diamond businesses in Angola and overseas and was also well known for his large collection of contemporary African art.

reporters@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai