Dubai ruler hacked ex-wife using NSO Pegasus spyware, high court judge finds

Sheikh Mohammed used spyware on Princess Haya and five associates in unlawful abuse of power, judge rules

• ‘The walls are closing in on me’: the hacking of Princess Haya

The ruler of Dubai hacked the phone of his ex-wife Princess Haya using NSO Group’s controversial Pegasus spyware in an unlawful abuse of power and trust, a senior high court judge has ruled.

The president of the family division found that agents acting on behalf of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, who is also prime minister of the United Arab Emirates, a close Gulf ally of Britain, hacked Haya and five of her associates while the couple were locked in court proceedings in London concerning the welfare of their two children.