Imagine being a vocal critic of a powerful regime, only to have your life turned upside down by a sophisticated hacking tool and a brutal physical attack. This is the chilling reality for Ghanem al-Masarir, a Saudi-born British comedian whose satirical YouTube videos mocking the Saudi Arabian leadership made him both a viral sensation and a target. But here’s where it gets controversial: after years of legal battles, a London court ruled that Saudi Arabia was responsible for hacking his phone and orchestrating a violent assault against him—yet the kingdom remains silent, leaving many to wonder if justice will ever truly be served.**
With over 345 million views, al-Masarir’s bold critiques of the Saudi royal family, particularly Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, struck a chord with millions. But his fame came at a cost. It started with his iPhones acting strangely—slowing down, batteries draining fast. Then, he noticed the same faces appearing in different parts of London, individuals who seemed to be Saudi regime supporters. They harassed him, filmed him, and even physically attacked him in broad daylight. And this is the part most people miss: cyber experts later confirmed his phone had been compromised by Pegasus, the infamous spyware tool, allowing his every move to be tracked. 'They got your data, all pictures, everything,' al-Masarir told the BBC. 'You feel you’ve been violated.'
The turning point came in 2024 when the High Court in London ruled that Saudi Arabia was responsible for the hacking and assault, awarding al-Masarir over £3 million ($4.1 million) in damages. The judge described the attack as premeditated, noting one assailant wore an earpiece, and concluded that it was 'directed or authorised by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.' Yet, despite the ruling, Saudi Arabia has refused to participate in the proceedings, raising questions about accountability. Is this a case of state-sponsored intimidation, or are there deeper geopolitical forces at play?
Al-Masarir’s ordeal didn’t end with the attack. In 2019, a child approached him in a café, singing a song praising King Salman, while a man later threatened him, saying, 'Your days are numbered.' These incidents, filmed and shared widely, highlight the relentless harassment he faced. Born in Saudi Arabia but a British citizen for over 20 years, al-Masarir now lives in fear, rarely venturing far from his Wembley home. 'The hack has really changed me,' he admits. 'I am not the same Ghanem I used to be.'
The Pegasus spyware, developed by Israeli firm NSO Group, is marketed as a tool to combat terrorism and crime. However, its use against journalists, activists, and dissidents like al-Masarir has sparked global outrage. Should such powerful tools be allowed in the hands of governments with questionable human rights records? Citizen Lab, the University of Toronto’s research group, confirmed the spyware’s presence on al-Masarir’s devices, linking it to Saudi Arabia. Yet, the kingdom initially claimed immunity under the State Immunity Act 1978, a defense later rejected by the court.
Despite his legal victory, al-Masarir remains haunted by the ordeal. 'No amount of money can repay the harm this has done to me,' he says. His once-vibrant YouTube channel has been silent for three years, and he now speaks with reservation, reluctant to show his face. Is this the price of speaking truth to power? As al-Masarir vows to enforce the judgment, even through international courts, his story serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by those who dare to challenge authoritarian regimes. What do you think? Is this a victory for justice, or a sobering example of how far some will go to silence dissent? Let us know in the comments.
