In February 2018 Sheikha Latifa Al Maktoum allegedly tried to escape Dubai.
The now 33-year-old says she boarded a boat in the hope that she could get to India, and eventually seek freedom in the United States.
Within days, the boat was stormed and the princess was taken, not to be heard from since.
Sheikha Latifa Bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum II is one of the daughters of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Prime Minister and Vice-President of the United Arab Emirates.
In preparation for her possible death or kidnapping following her escape, the princess made a video of her plan. She sent it to a trusted lawyer, who released the footage to YouTube following her alleged capture.
“If you’re watching this video, it’s not such a good thing. Either I’m dead, or I’m in a very very very bad situation,” she says in the video.
Nine months on, her ultraconservative family have spoken.
In a statement from the court of Dubai’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, it says the princess is “safe”.
“Her Highness Sheikha Latifa is now safe in Dubai,” said the statement from the court of Dubai’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum.
“(Latifa) and her family are looking forward to celebrating her birthday today, in privacy and peace, and to building a happy and stable future for her.”
In a statement to Sky News, the princess’ lawyers said that they are concerned by the statement.
“If it is that Sheikha Latifa is with her family, and that this is a family matter for which she seeks no public concern, then why is she prevented from communicating this publicly, or to any individual that she considers to be a friend,” they told the publication.
“The only conclusion that can be drawn is that Sheikha Latifa remains detained against her will,” they added.
Top Comments
She'll never be seen in public again. If she is lucky she'll be married off to a cousin. The bigger question is, why did the Indian government allow this to happen in Indian territorial waters with their co-operation and help? I'm very glad that Qantas is no longer stopping there and have gone back to Singapore for European flights. I spent 2 years living there and won't even transit a flight in the UAE anymore.
Apparently this happened in international waters, just outside of Indian territorial waters, but it's surprising to me that the Indian government would assist in this.
Well, we could only spend so much time pretending to be surprised that a country that still crucifies people isn't ran by nice people.