DUBAI, March 11: Dubai authorities are investigating claims that a diamond worth 25 million dollars disappeared after being flown from Uganda to be displayed in the Gulf emirate, a newspaper reported on Monday.

An Omani passport-holder of Indian origin convinced the Ugandan owner of the rare jewel to bring it to Dubai, “where it had good chances of being sold,” Al-Ittihad said.

A special plane was chartered to fly the gem to Dubai, where it was showcased amid tight security measures but did not find a buyer, the paper said.

The Omani-Indian and suspected accomplices were arrested by police after the Ugandan reported that the diamond had disappeared while he was staying in Dubai as their guest, the official Emirati newspaper said.

The group deny stealing the diamond and claim it was returned to Uganda, Al-Ittihad added.—AFP