Tag Archive for: ruler

UK police vow to review any new phone hack evidence against Dubai ruler

/in


Issued on: Modified:

London (AFP)

British police on Tuesday promised to review any new evidence of phone hacking linked to Dubai’s billionaire ruler, after a London court said he had authorised the use of spyware against his ex-wife and her legal team.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum approved the use of Pegasus software against Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein during their bitter child custody battle in the British capital, the High Court said.

The developments are potentially damaging for the 72-year-old sheikh, who is also vice president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates, and Britain’s royal family.

Dubai is a key UK ally in the Gulf while Sheikh Mohammed, owner of the Godolphin stables, shares a passion for racehorses with Queen Elizabeth II and the pair have often been photographed together at meetings.

The High Court said he gave his “express or implied authority” for the phones of 47-year-old Princess Haya and others to be hacked with the software, which is only available to governments.

Judge Andrew McFarlane said the sheikh was “prepared to use the arm of the state to achieve what he regards as right”, noting the surveillance of at least six phones was attempted.

– ‘My texts are all visible’ –

London’s Metropolitan Police said specialist detectives launched an investigation last year into “multiple allegations of crime(s)”.

They included “unauthorised access and interception of digital devices and offences contrary to the Computer Misuse Act relating to six complainants”.

#photo1

Officers spent five months conducting “significant” inquiries and collaborating with law enforcement partners, but the probe was closed in February.

“All lines of inquiry were explored as far as possible,” the Met said, noting that at the time there were “no further investigative opportunities”.

“We will of course review any new information or evidence which comes to light in connection with these allegations,” it added.

Princess Haya’s lawyer Fiona Shackleton, a baroness and member of the upper chamber of parliament — the House of Lords — for the…

Source…

Dubai ruler got ex-wife’s phone hacked by Israeli malware

/in


Sheikh Mohammed “gave his express or implied authority” to have phones of Princess Haya and five of her associates hacked using Pegasus spyware, UK High Court says.

Princess Haya bint Al Hussein and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum (C), walk to parade ring on Ladies Day, third day of horse racing at Royal Ascot in England on June 17, 2010. [File]
Princess Haya bint Al Hussein and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum (C), walk to parade ring on Ladies Day, third day of horse racing at Royal Ascot in England on June 17, 2010. [File]
(Reuters)

Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum ordered the phones of his ex-wife and five of her associates to be hacked using Israeli security firm NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware during a bitter custody battle, the Guardian has reported, citing a British High Court order. 

Sheikh Mohammed is also the United Arab Emirates’ prime minister. His ex-wife, Princess Haya bint Hussein, is the daughter of King Hussein of Jordan and the half-sister of Jordan’s current king, Abdullah II.

Judge Andrew McFarlane ruled that Sheikh Mohammed “gave his express or implied authority” to hack the phones during the former couple’s legal battle in London over their two children.

Princess Haya fled to London in April 2019 with their children, leading to a still-ongoing legal battle over custody, access to the children and financial support.

READ MORE: Modi accused of ‘treason’ as Pegasus spyware row rocks India

Princess Haya’s phone hacked 11 times

Of Princess Haya’s five associates who were hacked, two were her lawyers, and one of the lawyers, Fiona Shackleton, sits in the House of Lords, Britain’s upper chamber of parliament.

The Guardian reported that Shackleton was told about the hacking by Cherie Blair, who works with NSO Group.

Judge McFarlane said that unlawful surveillance had been carried out. The judgement was made on May 5 but has only now been published.

McFarlane noted in his judgement that Princess Haya’s phone was hacked 11 times last year in July and August.

The judgement said that on one of the occasions that Haya’s phone was hacked, 265 megabytes of data was uploaded. 

This particular…

Source…