Yet another lawsuit has been filed against a Gulf actor, this time for “ordering staff to kill Americans on US soil”. But this is, by no means an isolated incident, and after the death of Jamal Khashoggi, the increasing belligerent behaviour of Gulf nations needs to be addressed by the US government. Legal action has been taken in the United States against Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the brother of the Emir of Qatar. Sheikh Khalid has been accused of orderin

Women’s rights in Qatar not enshrined in law. Male Guardianship rules force women to flee oppression. When it comes to the issue of women’s rights in the Gulf , Saudi Arabia is most frequently cited as the most repressive country in the region, and Qatar is widely regarded as the most modern in terms of human development. Qatar has become somewhat of a darling among Western liberal intelligentsia, likely in part because of the peninsular country’s pumping tens of millions of

Ivanka in Dubai. Speaking for women’s rights, but is she being used? Should Ivanka Trump be headlining the “Global Women’s Forum” in Dubai, while rape victims are jailed for adultery, while male guardianship prevails and while Sheikh Mohammed’s own daughters remain in custody with torture claims? Ivanka Trump is headlining a summit this week in Dubai, that focuses on women’s issues and their development in the workplace. In recent years the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed, ha

Latifa's final WhatsApp exchanges after her escape from Dubai From onboard Nostromo, after Latifa’s daring escape from Dubai, she contacted Detained in Dubai CEO Radha Stirling and the two exchanged messages up until her capture. The messages showcase how determined the princess was to secure her freedom. Sheikha Latifa Al Maktoum had planned her second escape for seven years, enlisting the assistance of former French secret service agent Hervé Jaubert. Before her escape, she

John Cooper, QC, Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai, Matthew Heywood, Barrister Sheikh Mohammed has applied to the English High Court for custody of his two children from Jordanian wife Princess Haya after their separation was confirmed in the media. Leaked information from Haya’s side indicated that she was in fear for her life, the lives of her children and had possibly initiated the separation after discovering “disturbing facts” about Princess Latifa, her stepdaught

Left: International human rights expert QC John Cooper, from 25 Bedford Row Chambers (leading the case). Right: Accomplished UK barrister and human rights expert Matthew Heywood from 1 Crown Office Row Chambers (acting as junior counsel) Acting as Sheikha Latifa Al Maktoum’s legal representatives, Detained in Dubai and Captain Hervé Jaubert have instructed internationally renowned barrister John Cooper QC of 25 Bedford Row to advise in their ongoing case with the United Natio

The first hearing in the case of Princess Haya and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Princess of Jordan and Ruler of Dubai, respectively; is set for the end of this month. Haya fled the UAE and her marriage several weeks ago, with Sheikh Mohammed filing a suit for custody of their two young children in British court. Princess Haya was the most visible of Sheikh Mohammed’s wives, and a familiar figure in the UK. She suffered a severe media backlash after participating in

Captain Jaubert in front of the Nostromo. The US flagged yacht in which Latifa made her bid for freedom Captain Herve Jaubert is the former French spy who masterminded Sheikha Latifa's doomed escape attempt. He is her official representative and closest confidant. He felt obliged in this respect to speak out on her behalf in regards to the upcoming custody and divorce battle between Sheikh Mohammed and his escaped wife, Princess Haya “Even if partial or shared custody were gr

Desperate: Latifa (left) recording her testimony as protection in case she was recaptured. (right) Princess Haya, who now confirms Latifa was tortured and imprisoned by father Sheikh Mohammed It has been reported that Princess Haya made the decision to flee the UAE and her marriage to Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum after learning the truth about his alleged decades of abuse of his daughter Sheikha Latifa. After Latifa’s escape and capture last year, Princes

Hervé Jaubert discussed upcoming lawsuits and new book release Herve Jaubert, the ex-secret service agent and captain of the Nostromo, has announced plans to file a lawsuit against PLC Satellite provider KVH, Rhode Island NY, who, he alleges in his latest book, Princess Latifa & the Spy, disclosed his position following the high-profile escape of Princess Latifa from Dubai back in March, 2018.The suit alleges potential violations of data privacy and undisclosed damages agains

Christian Michel, British national exchanged for Princess Latifa. UN to hear case of British national "swapped” for Princess Latifa British national Christian Michel was accused of involvement in corruption over the sale of AgustaWestland helicopters to the Indian Government in 2010, despite having been found innocent of those charges by the Italian High Court, India continued to seek his extradition from the UAE, where Mr Michel was a resident. The UAE refused India’s reques

The ongoing dispute between Gulf neighbours Qatar, the UAE and Saudi Arabia (with a variety of other countries allied to one side or the other), has become increasingly disruptive and dangerous; even victimising disinterested foreign visitors to the Gulf as the rivals ramp up pressure tactics against each other. Just last month a British national was attacked and subsequently jailed in the UAE for wearing a team jersey for the Qatar national football team while attending a ma

We would like this opportunity to wish everyone a happy and prosperous new year, and to offer our heartfelt thanks to all of our friends and supporters. Our CEO, Radha Stirling, who founded Detained in Dubai after her friend’s arrest over a decade ago, extends her warmest wishes, saying “2018 has indeed been a year that has challenged us with many grave injustices to fight, and battles to win. I am grateful to our friends, old and new, for making this work so rewarding. We ha