Dubai ruler Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum branded 'remorseless' abuser who terrified ex-wife Princess Haya
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, has been branded a domestic abuser and banned from bringing up his children in a recent ruling. The 72-year-old is a "remorseless" abuser who terrified his former wife Princess Haya bint Al Hussein, and displayed "coercive and controlling behavior" towards his family, as per the ruling.
In 2019, 47-year-old Hussein, who had been living in fear, fled to Britain with her children after her marriage to Maktoum ended. During the three-year legal battle in London, the princess revealed how she lived in constant fear of her children being abducted. As per reports, agents for Maktoum hacked Hussein and her lawyer's phones using state security software Pegasus during the court battle.
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"The father's behaviour towards the mother of his children is domestic abuse. The father has consistently displayed coercive and controlling behaviour with respect to those members of his family who he regards as behaving contrary to his will. Given his immense power and wealth, the potential for the father, and those in Dubai who do his bidding, to act remorselessly against the interests of the mother has been proved," said the ruling by Andrew McFarlane, President of the Family Division.
Maktoum also attempted to buy a £30 million estate directly overlooking Hussein's Berkshire home but was banned from doing so at an earlier hearing. The senior judge also ruled that the ruler of Dubai must be blocked from involvement in the upbringing of his children. Princess Haya will now have sole responsibility for the medical care and schooling of their two children, Sheikha Jalila, 14, and Sheikh Zayed, 10. As per the court, Makotum's relationship with them will be limited to calls and messages as he has decided not to pursue direct contact.
"The father has acted in a wholly coercive and controlling manner towards the children's mother to a degree which can only be seen by her to be all-consuming and all-encompassing. For the children's mother to be rendered thus can only have been most harmful to the emotional and psychological welfare of these two children," the judge added.
"His highness's behaviour towards the mother, in each of its separate manifestations, whether by threats, poems, coordinating press reports, covertly arranging to purchase property immediately overlooking hers, phone hacking or in the conduct of this litigation, has been abusive to a high, indeed exorbitant, degree," the ruling continued.
In December 2021, the Sheikh denied all allegations of wrongdoing and was ordered to pay a £550 million divorce settlement, including the provision of military-grade security to protect the princess from the threat he poses. McFarlane concluded that Maktoum was behind the 2000 abduction in Cambridge of his daughter Sheikha Shamsa, and he also thwarted the attempt of daughter Sheikha Latifa to flee Dubai in 2002, reported Evening Standard.
Hussein issued a long statement on Thursday after the judgment and said, "It is my sincere hope that the judgments published today conclude these legal proceedings. As we witness the devastating atrocities that are happening in Ukraine and so many other places in the world, my heart, mind, and prayers are with the men, women, and children who are suffering in unthinkable ways. This statement should not detract attention from the human tragedies that are unfolding by the hour."
"The last few years have been a frightening journey and yet the sanctuary, protection and extraordinary compassion we have experienced in England have strengthened our belief in the enduring power of both humanity and justice. It was one of the great honors of my life to be a part of the early days of the UAE's story and to call Dubai my home and land of my children for so many years. The love and respect shown to us by so many people of all walks of life was heart-warming; we will never forget you," the release continued.
"I will continue to raise our children with respect for the values, cultures, and traditions of both of their countries of origin, and pride in their heritage. They will always honor their roots and seek to make a positive contribution to this world in any way that they can as educated, honest, and kind royal children. The children and I will hold dear our unshakeable belief in goodness, kindness, and humanity. We will always remain true to those values," the statement concluded.
A statement issued on behalf of Maktoum said, "He loves his children and cherishes their love for him. He has always cared and provided for them, and always will. He maintains his denial of the allegations made in these contentious proceedings," reports The Guardian.