A British High Court ruled Wednesday that Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum ordered the phones of his ex-wife and five of her associates to be hacked using Israeli security firm NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware during a bitter custody battle, the Guardian reported. 

Sheikh Mohammed is also the United Arab Emirates’ prime minister. His ex-wife, Princess Haya bint Hussein, is the daughter of King Hussein of Jordan and the half-sister of Jordan’s current king, Abdullah II. 

Judge Andrew McFarlane ruled that Sheikh Mohammed “gave his express or implied authority” to hack the phones during the former couple’s legal battle in London over their two children. 

Princess Haya fled to London in April 2019 with their children, leading to a still ongoing legal battle over custody, access to the children and financial support.