Ask Onix
Landmark ruling holds Saudi Arabia accountable for cyber espionage
A London High Court judge has ordered Saudi Arabia to compensate dissident YouTuber Ghanem al-Masarir over £3 million ($4.1 million) after ruling the kingdom orchestrated a Pegasus spyware attack against him. The decision marks the first time Saudi Arabia has been held legally responsible for such surveillance on British soil.
From viral critic to surveillance target
Al-Masarir, a 45-year-old British citizen originally from Saudi Arabia, rose to prominence across the Arabic-speaking world for his satirical YouTube videos mocking the Saudi royal family. His channel amassed over 345 million views, with one clip alone drawing 16 million viewers. The comedian's sharp-and often offensive-commentary on Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman made him a polarizing figure.
Living in Wembley, al-Masarir noticed his iPhones began malfunctioning in 2018. Batteries drained rapidly, and devices slowed to a crawl. Soon after, he spotted unfamiliar faces tailing him across London. Strangers harassed and filmed him in public, seemingly aware of his movements in real time.
Hacking, harassment, and a brutal assault
The cyber intrusion began when al-Masarir clicked links in text messages disguised as news outlet membership offers. Experts from the University of Toronto's Citizen Lab later confirmed his phones had been infected with Pegasus, a sophisticated spyware tool developed by Israeli firm NSO Group. The software grants attackers full access to a device's camera, microphone, location, and stored data.
"They can see your location. They can turn on the camera. They can turn on the microphone, listen to you. They got your data, all pictures, everything. You feel you've been violated."
Ghanem al-Masarir
The hacking escalated into physical violence. In August 2018, two men confronted al-Masarir in central London, shouting accusations about his criticism of the Saudi royal family before punching him repeatedly. Bystanders intervened, but the attackers fled, calling him a "slave of Qatar" and vowing to "teach him a lesson." The court heard one assailant wore an earpiece, suggesting coordination.
Legal battle and judicial findings
After a six-year legal fight, High Court Justice Saini ruled there was a "compelling basis" that Saudi Arabia or its agents directed both the hack and the subsequent assault. The judge noted the kingdom had a "clear interest in and motivation to shut down" al-Masarir's criticism. Saudi Arabia initially claimed immunity under the State Immunity Act 1978 but was denied in 2022. The kingdom declined to participate in further proceedings, leading the court to issue a default judgment.
The total damages awarded-£3,025,662.83-reflect the severity of the harm, though al-Masarir doubts Saudi Arabia will pay. The BBC reached out to the Saudi embassy in London but received no response.
Life under siege
The harassment persisted long after the attack. In 2019, a child approached al-Masarir at a Kensington café to sing a song praising Saudi King Salman. The incident was filmed, posted online with a trending hashtag, and even broadcast on Saudi state television. Later that day, a man warned him, "Your days are numbered," outside a west London restaurant.
Once outspoken and prolific, al-Masarir has not posted a video in three years. He now avoids central London, struggles with depression, and rarely leaves his home. In an interview with the BBC, he appeared reserved and declined to show his face fully.
"No amount of money can repay the harm this has done to me. The hack has really changed me. I am not the same Ghanem I used to be."
Ghanem al-Masarir
He added: "I feel depressed that they got away with something like this in London-in Great Britain."
Pegasus: A tool for repression?
Pegasus, marketed by NSO Group as a tool for tracking terrorists and criminals, has been linked to surveillance of journalists, politicians, and dissidents worldwide. Citizen Lab's investigation found the spyware on al-Masarir's devices, with Saudi Arabia identified as the likely perpetrator. Despite NSO Group's claims of strict vetting, critics argue the software enables authoritarian regimes to silence opponents.
Al-Masarir vows to enforce the court's judgment, even if it requires international legal action. Yet, he acknowledges no compensation can undo the psychological toll. "They have succeeded in silencing me," he said.
