Aishwarya Rathore-
Published On: October 07, 2021 at 12:20 IST
The British High Court ruled that Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai, hacked the phones of his ex-wife, Princess Haya Bint al-Hussein, and her attorneys during their custody battle over their two children.
A Family Court Judge Andrew McFarlane stated in the ruling, “Sheikh Mohammed had hacked the mobile phones of Princess Haya, her personal assistant, her solicitors Baroness Shackleton and Nicholas Manners, and two members of her personal security staff using “Pegasus Software” licensed to Dubai and the UAE by an Israeli Company.”
McFarlane further stated, “The findings represent a total abuse of trust, and indeed an abuse of power.”
Sheikh Mohammed contested the ruling, alleging that it was based on an “incomplete picture”.
Sheikh claimed, “I have always denied the allegations made against me and I continue to do so. These matters concern supposed operations of State security. As a Head of Government involved in private family proceedings, it was not appropriate for me to provide evidence on such sensitive matters.”
These findings are part of a series of continuing proceedings in London regarding Princess Haya and her daughters’ custody.
A March 2020 ruling determined that Sheikh Mohammed had previously organized the abduction of two of his daughters and forcefully returned them to Dubai, where he detained them against their will.
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