“Princess Latifa al Maktoum Alleges Independence and Freedom in Lengthy Statement”

Latifa al Maktoum, the daughter of Dubai’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed, has made headlines again after an Instagram account believed to belong to her posted a lengthy statement. This comes two years after Latifa released videos alleging that her family was holding her hostage in Dubai, following a failed escape attempt in 2018. Despite sporadic images of her being released by Dubai officials claiming she “lives as she wishes”, reports suggest that she was under house arrest. The story gained worldwide attention, with former President of Ireland, Mary Robinson, becoming embroiled in it after having dinner with Latifa at the request of her mother, Haya. In the recent statement, the account claims that Latifa is “totally free and living an independent life” and thanked those who had shown compassion towards her. This is not the first time a daughter of Sheikh Mohammed has tried to escape the family’s control, with Princess Shamsa also attempting to abscond in 2000.