Is Princess Latifa alive? New pics of Dubai ruler's daughter emerge suddenly after UN asked for 'proof of life'
Dubai ruler’s daughter Princess Latifa al Maktoum is reportedly not in her “villa prison” under armed guard’s protection. It has been reported that she is now living with her friends after being imprisoned for around three years by her father Sheikh Mohammed al Maktoum. The 35-year-old was allegedly held captive for escaping her country to live a free life in the US.
Reports have stated that Latifa is in talks with her lawyers so that she can successfully leave Dubai to start fresh in a new land, away from the “repressive” control of her father. Besides, two new photos shared this week showed Latifa in good condition with her friends. The pictures were reportedly taken last week and were posted on social media after taking permission from the Dubai authorities. One of the pictures was apparently taken at a Dubai mall, which had Latifa as well as her two friends, while the second one showed her with a friend on the terrace of an Italian restaurant Bice Mara. Former Royal Navy officer Sioned Taylor, who is also Latifa’s close friend, shared the pictures on her Instagram page. Though the pictures did not mention the date and time, the background showed a cinema carrying adverts for the film 'Demon Slayer: Mugen Train' that was released on May 13 in the UAE.
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“Princess Latifa is out of what she called the ‘villa prison’. She is no longer under armed guard and has been allowed to see friends. She is able to make contact with friends and have something of a normal life. We are very hopeful that things are moving in the right direction and she will be able to decide what she wants to do. The fact that she is no longer being held in a villa against her will is a major step forward,” a close friend in Dubai told Mail Online.
The pictures came after secret videos of Latifa in pain inside the “prison” went viral. In the video clips, which she shared with her friends and later given to BBC, she was heard saying: “I'm a hostage, I'm not free. I am prisoned in this jail. My life is not in my hands. I have been here ever since, for more than a year in solitary confinement. No access to medical help, no trial, no charge, nothing... Every day I am worried about my safety and the police threaten me that I will never see the sun again. I am not safe here.”
As the videos went public, the United Nations demanded to see Latifa alive and free. At the time, former UN rights envoy Mary Robinson said, “I continue to be very worried about Latifa. Things have moved on. And so I think it should be investigated.” Also, the attorneys of Latifa had stated, “The international community can no longer stand by. We are petitioning the UN Working Groups on Enforced and Involuntary Disappearances and on Arbitrary Detention and other bodies to get access to her without delay and to ensure that she is released unharmed. It is vital more than ever now that the UN should take all necessary action to secure Latifa’s immediate release having been unlawfully held in the UAE for over two years.”
Now, since Latifa is free and safe, David Haigh, co-founder of the Free Latifa campaign, said: “This is all very good news and there are certain matters going on behind the scenes that we are hopeful will result in further positive news.” Former French spy Herve Jaubert, who helped the princess in fleeing in 2018, also commented, “If true, I am so relieved to hear this wonderful news. Princess Latifa looks straight to the camera and seems to be herself and happy.”
While Radha Stirling, founder of Detained in Dubai and the person whom Latifa contacted after her 2018 escape, added: “We are seeking clarification from Dubai and remain hopeful that Latifa is safe and well. If the photo is genuine, it would indicate that the UAE intends to perhaps allow Latifa to return to public life as mentioned in their last statement. After Latifa's latest video messages were broadcast, the Maktoum family is even more determined to keep Latifa within the city of Dubai. From their perspective, they have seen what happens to British royals when family members start airing their dirty laundry in public.”
“They don't want to see Latifa end up on Oprah. The family still maintains that Latifa has mental health problems which they do not intend to make a spectacle of. The Maktoums see many of the people calling for Latifa's release as self-interested. They're not going to release Latifa into the hands of those who may use and manipulate her, and they don't want to see her as an adverse witness in the British courtroom drama surrounding Princess Haya. Through understanding the UAE's perspective, there is a higher chance for Latifa to be finally freed. We are hopeful that may involve a diplomatically arranged alternative whereby Latifa were permitted to conditionally live in the United States. In the interim, we are hopeful that Latifa will return to public life and enjoy increased freedom within the Emirates,” Stirling added.