Ruler of Dubai, Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, has been ordered by a British court to pay up to $730 million to his ex-wife, Pricess Haya, in settlement. 

The payment is to cover divorce settlement as well as several intrusion and threats to Ms Haya’s privacy and security, which according to UK judge, Justice Moor, was masterminded by Mr al-Maktoum, who is the prime minister of the United Arab Emirates and an ally to Britain. 

“Most importantly in this regard, and absolutely uniquely, the main threat they face is from HH (his highness the sheikh) himself not from outside sources.

“This is compounded by the full weight of the state that he has available to him as seen by his ability to make use of the Pegasus software, which is only available to governments,” Mr Moor said. 

The actions by Mr Al Maktoum included the kidnappings of two of his other daughters, Princess Latifa and Princess Shamsa – the latter from the streets of Cambridge – and subjecting Ms Haya to an “intimidation” campaign.

Hacking Ms Haya’s and five of her acquaintances’ phones, including two of her lawyers, using NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware while the couple was in court and in a “very severe threat to her security,” his agents attempted to buy a £30 million estate next door to Ms Haya’s Berkshire house.

Mr Al Maktoum will now bear up to seven hundred and thirty million dollars in security cost for his ex-wife and costs for the children upkeep and education.