UAE princess linked to Christian Michel extradition 'reappears'

The UAE princess Sheikha Latifa, who had fled Dubai to escape her father UAE Vice President Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is back in news.

The UAE has released what are said to be the first photos of her after she returned home. She is seen at her home with former Irish president Mary Robinson. "At the request of the family, on 15th December 2018, Mary Robinson... met with Her Highness Sheikha Latifa in Dubai," the foreign ministry said in a statement published by the state-run WAM news agency.

The princess was captured from a yacht in the Indian Ocean after escaping from the UAE via Oman. The Indian Coast Guard, working on behalf of the UAE, intercepted the yacht and captured her. She was then taken back to the UAE. Human rights NGOs had accused India of flouting international treaties and maritime laws to “capture” the 32-year-old princess.

The princess's capture and return is claimed to have helped India with the extradition of AugustaWestland middleman Christian Michel.

Months after rights groups urged Dubai to reveal Sheikha Latifa's whereabouts, the UAE released the pictures as it sought to confirm she is at home with family. "During her visit to Dubai, Mary Robinson was reassured that H.H. Sheikha Latifa is receiving the necessary care and support she requires." Dressed in a dark hooded sweatshirt and gray jeans, Sheikha Latifa either looks away from the camera or towards Robinson.

Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum (L) having a meal with Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland, at the Latifa's home in Dubai | AFP

It was not immediately possible to confirm details of the meeting with a spokesperson for Robinson, who served as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights from 1997 to 2002.

The princess had appeared in a YouTube video in March in which she announced she was about to flee the UAE. The video, in which she said she was leaving because of restrictions imposed on her family, was distributed after it became clear that her attempt to get away had failed.

The UAE said this announcement "rebuts false allegations and provided evidence that Her Highness Sheikha Latifa was at home and living with her family in Dubai." The foreign ministry said the statement was initially delivered on Friday to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Following Sheikha Latifa's disappearance, the UK-based advocacy group Detained in Dubai took up her case and alerted the UN human rights commission.

(With inputs from PTI)