In a significant legal victory, Ghanem al-Masarir, a Saudi dissident residing in London, has been awarded over £3 million in damages by a High Court judge after he was assaulted and targeted by Saudi agents. This ruling marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing battle against state-sponsored human rights abuses, spotlighting the lengths to which the Saudi regime has gone to silence dissenting voices.
A Disturbing Attack in Central London
The court’s ruling, delivered by Mr Justice Saini, revealed that al-Masarir’s phone had been infected with Pegasus spyware, a sophisticated surveillance tool linked to the Saudi government. This breach of privacy occurred in 2018, just before he was violently attacked outside the Harrods department store in the heart of London. The judge’s decision is groundbreaking, holding a state accountable for actions that violate not only international norms but also the sanctity of British law.
Despite numerous allegations of human rights violations, the Saudi regime has historically evaded legal repercussions. The question now looms large: will the kingdom comply with the court’s order to compensate al-Masarir, given its longstanding refusal to engage in the legal proceedings on grounds of state immunity?
The Damaging Aftermath
In an interview, the 45-year-old satirist expressed his hope that the Saudi government would comply and promptly pay the ordered damages. “If they don’t pay it, we won’t have any other alternative but to take enforcement action to recover the money from Saudi assets abroad; it doesn’t have to be the UK,” he stated. The majority of the awarded damages, approximately £2.5 million, are related to the loss of earnings from his previously successful career in producing content critical of the Saudi monarchy.
However, the psychological toll on al-Masarir has been severe. He has been battling debilitating depression since the attack, which has rendered him unable to work. “I suffered a lot and what they have done to me has ruined my life,” he reflected, adding that he rarely leaves his home and has not returned to the site of the assault in seven years. “I’m not the same person I was ten years ago; I am a different person.”
A Message to the Kingdom
Al-Masarir, who was granted asylum in the UK in 2018, described the High Court’s ruling as an “amazing thing,” asserting that it sends a clear message to the Saudi regime that such actions will not be tolerated on British soil. He pointed to the alleged attempts by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to influence British officials, including former Prime Minister David Cameron, in an effort to evade accountability. “They think they can hide behind state immunity and force the UK to interfere in the legal system,” he remarked. “That happily didn’t work and justice has been served.”
The case also sheds light on broader concerns regarding the Saudi government’s aggressive tactics against dissidents, which have included digital surveillance and physical violence. The Citizen Lab, an institution at the University of Toronto, confirmed that al-Masarir’s phone was compromised, alongside others who have publicly critiqued the regime, including the late journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
The Future of Dissent
Although the ruling represents a victory for al-Masarir and advocates for human rights, the implications extend far beyond this single case. Al-Masarir remains sceptical about the kingdom’s purported political reforms, highlighting the hypocrisy of hosting a comedy festival featuring prominent comedians while simultaneously silencing critics. “It’s a win for them because they silenced me, and I’m not able to do my work anymore,” he lamented.
The Saudi government has yet to respond to the judgment or indicate whether it will comply with the financial order, leaving many to wonder how this situation will unfold.
Why it Matters
This case is emblematic of a broader struggle against authoritarian regimes that employ violent and clandestine methods to quell dissent. It not only highlights the vulnerabilities faced by activists but also serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of upholding human rights standards. As the international community watches closely, the outcome may set a precedent for future legal actions against states implicated in human rights violations, potentially paving the way for greater accountability on the global stage.
