The Dubai princess who claimed that she was being held against her will now insists that she can “travel where I want” — her first official statement since she alleged that she was being held captive in a barricaded villa.
Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed Al Maktoum, 35, a daughter of the ruler of Dubai, addressed new photographs that emerged of her on a European vacation in a statement released through her lawyers to Reuters.
“I recently visited 3 European countries on holiday with my friend. I asked her to post a few photos online to prove to campaigners that I can travel where I want,” the statement read, referring to the Free Latifa group that has lobbied for her release.
“I hope now that I can live my life in peace without further media scrutiny. And I thank everyone for their kind wishes.”
The image, which showed her at an airport in Spain, was one of the few times she has been photographed since a failed attempt three years ago to escape the control of her father, Sheikh Mohammed, by boarding a yacht to sail the Indian Ocean.
The statement or the circumstances under which it was issued could not be independently verified, Reuters reported.
The United Arab Emirates has faced pressure to prove that she’s alive following a video message aired by the BBC in which she said she was being held hostage in a villa.
“I’m a hostage … I am worried about my safety and my life,” said Latifa, thought to be one of around 30 children Dubai’s ruler has with numerous women.
The UAE embassy in London said in February the family and medical professionals were caring for the princess at home and that she would return to “public life at the appropriate time.”
With Post wires
