The kidnapped Dubai princess whose ordeal shocked the world is no longer under armed guard, according to friends.
Princess Latifa al Maktoum, daughter of the emirate’s ruler, was kept under armed guard for three years after trying to escape the country.
Earlier today The Mirror reported that she had been pictured for the second time in two days, the most recent showing her appearing to be laughing with friends.
She is now reportedly staying with pals after being released, and is hopeful of leaving Dubai, where she can escape her father Sheikh Mohammed al Maktoum.
Photos of Latifa, 35, yesterday showed her shopping in a mall in Dubai, sparking hopes she may have been released.
(Image: shinnybryn/Instagram)
A source told the Daily Mail that the princess had been released from her “villa prison”, and is no longer under armed guard.
The friend said: “She is able to make contact with friends and have something of a normal life.
“We are very hopeful that things are moving the right direction and she will be able to decide what she wants to do.
“The fact that she is no longer being held in a villa against her will is a major step forward.”
The pictures were posted on Instagram by former Royal Navy officer Sioned Taylor, a friend of Latifa’s, according to the Mail.
(Image: lyndabouchikhi/Instagram)
It is the first time she has been seen in public since December 2018.
Yesterday she wrote alongside a picture apparently with Latifa at Dubai’s Mall of the Emirates: “Lovely evening at MoE with friends.”
It is unclear when either of the pictures were taken.
However the mall picture that emerged on Saturday showed face masks lying on the table alongside coffee cups, suggesting the photos were snapped at some time during the pandemic.
Earlier this year videos were released of Latifa claiming she was a “hostage” being monitored by security forces.
In one clip she said: “This villa has been converted into a jail. All the windows are barred shut.
“There’s five policemen outside and two policewomen inside. I can’t even go out to get fresh air. So basically, I’m a hostage.”
She said commandos drugged her as she fled by boat and flew her back to detention when she tried to get away.
(Image: SWNS)
David Haigh, co-founder of the Free Latifa campaign and Detained International, told Sky on Saturday: “We confirm that there have been several potentially significant and positive developments in the campaign.
We do not intend to comment further at this stage, a further statement will be issued at the appropriate time”.
Latifa’s disappearance from public life has raised concerns over her welfare after it was claimed her father, Leader Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, was detaining her in solitary confinement.
Pals released secretly recorded video messages earlier this year showing Latifa claiming she had been held against her will since 2018.
It is alleged commandos snatched Latifa and brought her back to her father in Dubai.
Her capture followed the abduction of her sister Princess Shamsa, 39 from the streets of Cambridge 21 years ago.