UK High Court Orders Saudi Arabia to Pay Over £3 Million to Dissident Targeted with Pegasus Spyware
London judge finds kingdom liable for spying and orchestrated assault on Saudi satirist, awarding compensation for severe psychological harm
A UK High Court judge has ruled that Saudi Arabia must pay more than £3 million in damages to London-based Saudi dissident Ghanem al-Masarir after concluding that the kingdom was responsible for using Pegasus spyware to hack his phones and for orchestrating a physical attack against him in central London.
The landmark judgment acknowledged the profound and lasting impact the covert surveillance and assault had on al-Masarir’s mental health, ability to work and personal life.
Mr Justice Pushpinder Saini found that there was “a compelling basis” to conclude that al-Masarir’s iPhones were infected with Pegasus spyware in 2018, allowing vast amounts of personal data to be exfiltrated without his knowledge and significantly violating his privacy.
The judge also determined, on the balance of probabilities, that Saudi authorities or agents acting on their behalf were responsible for a violent assault on al-Masarir outside the Harrods department store in Knightsbridge, an attack that left lasting psychological scars.
Al-Masarir, a satirist and prominent critic of the Saudi government who has lived in the United Kingdom since 2003, has long contended that the kingdom targeted him due to his outspoken criticism and large online audience.
He began legal action in 2019 after independent analysis confirmed his devices had been compromised by the sophisticated Pegasus software, which can access calls, messages, contacts, location and other private information covertly.
Saudi Arabia had sought to dismiss the case on grounds of state immunity, but the High Court rejected that argument in 2022 and allowed the claim to proceed.
The kingdom did not engage further in proceedings after losing an appeal, and the court assessed the evidence in al-Masarir’s favour.
In delivering the judgment, the court described the conduct as “grossly intrusive” and unjustified.
Al-Masarir told the court that the ruling brought a “long and painful chapter to a close” and expressed hope that Saudi Arabia would comply with the judgment without further enforcement action.
Legal representatives for al-Masarir emphasised that the case represents a significant victory for victims of transnational repression and sends a message about accountability for state-sponsored spying.
The compensation awarded reflects both the psychological harm suffered and economic losses, including the collapse of his ability to work due to the impact of the attack and surveillance.
The judgment is a rare legal setback for Saudi Arabia in UK courts and underscores broader concerns about the use of commercial surveillance tools, such as Pegasus, by nation states against critics and activists abroad.
Its implications could extend to other cases where dissidents seek redress for alleged state-ordered intrusions on their privacy and safety.
The landmark judgment acknowledged the profound and lasting impact the covert surveillance and assault had on al-Masarir’s mental health, ability to work and personal life.
Mr Justice Pushpinder Saini found that there was “a compelling basis” to conclude that al-Masarir’s iPhones were infected with Pegasus spyware in 2018, allowing vast amounts of personal data to be exfiltrated without his knowledge and significantly violating his privacy.
The judge also determined, on the balance of probabilities, that Saudi authorities or agents acting on their behalf were responsible for a violent assault on al-Masarir outside the Harrods department store in Knightsbridge, an attack that left lasting psychological scars.
Al-Masarir, a satirist and prominent critic of the Saudi government who has lived in the United Kingdom since 2003, has long contended that the kingdom targeted him due to his outspoken criticism and large online audience.
He began legal action in 2019 after independent analysis confirmed his devices had been compromised by the sophisticated Pegasus software, which can access calls, messages, contacts, location and other private information covertly.
Saudi Arabia had sought to dismiss the case on grounds of state immunity, but the High Court rejected that argument in 2022 and allowed the claim to proceed.
The kingdom did not engage further in proceedings after losing an appeal, and the court assessed the evidence in al-Masarir’s favour.
In delivering the judgment, the court described the conduct as “grossly intrusive” and unjustified.
Al-Masarir told the court that the ruling brought a “long and painful chapter to a close” and expressed hope that Saudi Arabia would comply with the judgment without further enforcement action.
Legal representatives for al-Masarir emphasised that the case represents a significant victory for victims of transnational repression and sends a message about accountability for state-sponsored spying.
The compensation awarded reflects both the psychological harm suffered and economic losses, including the collapse of his ability to work due to the impact of the attack and surveillance.
The judgment is a rare legal setback for Saudi Arabia in UK courts and underscores broader concerns about the use of commercial surveillance tools, such as Pegasus, by nation states against critics and activists abroad.
Its implications could extend to other cases where dissidents seek redress for alleged state-ordered intrusions on their privacy and safety.
