In a short time, three different photos of Princess Latifa bint Mohammed Al Maktoum (35) have been published on Instagram.
She is the daughter of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is both Prime Minister and Vice President of the United Arab Emirates and Emir (Head of State) of Dubai. She was captured in 2018 after a painstakingly planned escape, which failed.
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Escape attempts
After living for 32 years under her father’s authoritarian regime, she then tried to flee to France – with the help of a French spy and a Finnish martial arts instructor.
The escape attempt failed. The boat was hijacked and Latifa was captured.
In the period after the failed escape attempt, the princess has, according to BBCs documentary series «Panorama», sent secret video messages to friends. But then the messages ended.
In February, the friends asked the UN to intervene, and in April this year The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) sounded the alarm, and asked the United Arab Emirates for proof that Princess Latifa is alive.
Now pictures of the princess have appeared, published on Instagram.
RESTAURANT: On Saturday, a photo was posted on an Instagram account, which allegedly shows the princess and her friend, Sioned Taylor, on the terrace of an Italian restaurant called Bice Mara, with Dubai’s sparkling skyline in the background. The caption reads: “Delicious food at Bice Mare with Latifa”. Photo: Sioned Taylor / Reuters / NTB
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At Cafe
Last Thursday, a picture was uploaded as alleged shows the princess out in a mall, along with two other women, reports BBC.
On Saturday, a picture was posted on an Instagram account, which reportedly shows the princess and her friend, Sioned Taylor, on the terrace of an Italian restaurant called Bice Mara, with Dubai’s sparkling skyline in the background.
The caption reads: “Delicious food at Bice Mare with Latifa”.
Today publishes The Guardian a new picture of Latifa – this time she is pictured at a cafe table, with a woman, who according to the newspaper describes herself as clairvoyant. Also this picture is uploaded to Instagram.
Still, not everyone is sure that the pictures actually prove that the princess has been released.
AT THE SHOPPING CENTER: A friend confirms that it is Princess Latifa who is pictured on Instagram. Photo: Private
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Requires better proof
“British ministers must stop procrastinating and demand proper proof of Princess Latifa’s life and her freedom,” former British Foreign Secretary Peter Hain told The Guardian.
– These pictures are very far from it. Why, for example, is she not allowed to talk directly to journalists ?, he adds.
The BBC has not been able to verify the first two photos posted on Instagram, but has been in contact with Latifa’s friend, who confirms that it is the princess who is pictured.
The UN fears for the life of the princess
David Haigh, co-founder of the organization “Free Latifa”, has since said this in a statement:
– We confirm that there has been a potentially significant and positive development in the case. We do not wish to comment further on this at this stage. A statement will be issued at the right time.
– If you assume that the picture is real, it is proof of life. That is something, but it says nothing about her freedom, Kenneth Roth told Human Rights Watch to the BBC.
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Different versions
The United Arab Emirates has previously stated that Latifa lives safely and voluntarily with her family. They have also claimed that Latifa never tried to flee, and that she was instead kidnapped.
A video recorded by Latifa himself in advance of the escape attempt tells a completely different story.
– My father is the most vicious man I have met in my entire life. He is pure evil. There is nothing good about him, Latifa said in the video.
She has subsequently also claimed that she is being held hostage in “a villa converted into a prison”. She claims that she is not allowed to go out to breathe fresh air, and has stated in the videos that she fears for her own safety.
– I’m a hostage
Defends the princess
The British government has been urged to intervene to find out if Princess Latifa has really been released from her father’s house arrest.
Lord Hain is one of several who have pressured Britain to take on a bigger role in defending Latifa’s right to freedom, including by potentially seizing the assets of his father, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum. The sheikh is often described as close to Queen Elizabeth because of their common interest in horse racing.
The United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom have close security, trade and political ties, and the Foreign Office has been reluctant to raise human rights issues publicly, according to The Guardian.
Princess Latifa has not been seen in public since her failed attempt to flee Dubai three years ago.
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