Ex-intel Officer, Dubai Conglomerate Head To Court

FORT PIERCE, Fla. (AP) - A dispute between a former French intelligence officer and a powerful Dubai conglomerate over a failed recreational submarine venture is headed to trial in federal court.

Jury selection and opening statements are set for Monday in Fort Pierce, Fla. Dubai World claims it lost $31 million because of fraud and other wrongdoing by submarine designer Herve Jaubert.

Jaubert counters that he was essentially held captive in Dubai when authorities confiscated his passport in 2007. Jaubert also claims he was threatened with torture.

Jaubert says he escaped Dubai by disguising himself as a Muslim woman and sailing to India. He eventually arrived in Florida.

Both sides are seeking unspecified damages. The trial is expected to last about two weeks.