This dramatic series is set to begin production next year and has enlisted the talents of award-winning British writer Lindsay Shapero, who has worked closely with Tiina Jauhiainen, a close friend of Latifa and a key figure in her escape attempt.
The Extraordinary Escape: Princess Latifa, the daughter of Dubai’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, embarked on an audacious escape plan in 2018. She utilized a rigid inflatable boat to reach a yacht anchored in international waters, which had been arranged by a French accomplice. However, while off the coast of India, Indian commandos boarded the vessel and forcibly returned her to her father’s custody.
Legal Battles and Uncertainty: In a legal battle in 2020, a London high court judge accepted a series of allegations, including that the sheikh ordered Latifa’s abduction. The circumstances surrounding Latifa’s fate remained shrouded in mystery until she managed to smuggle out videos in which she revealed her ordeal in captivity. She described her confinement, asserting that she was a hostage and not free.
International Concerns and Disputed Claims: UN experts expressed concerns to the United Arab Emirates government about Latifa’s incommunicado detention, warning that it might constitute cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment. In response, the UAE’s embassy in London asserted that Latifa was under her family’s care, receiving medical attention, and would return to public life at the appropriate time.
The Drama Series: “The Escape” will be developed by Yellow Film & TV, led by Irish and Finnish producers Jackie Larkin and Olli Haikka. The series will chronicle Latifa’s incredible escape attempt, including her harrowing journey hidden in a car’s tire compartment across an armed border and the dramatic invasion of the yacht by Indian special forces and Emirati officers. The women’s kidnapping, imprisonment, interrogation, and eventual separation will be central to the series, providing an unflinching look at this high-stakes saga.
Friendship and Betrayal: Tiina Jauhiainen, a Finnish national who had become friends with Latifa after teaching her capoeira, a Brazilian martial art and dance form, played a pivotal role in the escape attempt. However, the conditions of Latifa’s release stipulated that she and Jauhiainen must never contact each other again. The drama will explore the depth of their friendship and the personal sacrifices they endured.
An Unexpected Visitor: The television series will also depict the visit of former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson to Dubai. Robinson’s mission was to ascertain Latifa’s well-being, but she was misled into believing that the princess was not a captive but rather mentally ill. The truth about Latifa’s captivity was only revealed when Tiina Jauhiainen released secret video messages.
In conclusion, “The Escape” promises to bring the gripping and harrowing story of Princess Latifa’s abduction ordeal to a global audience, shedding light on her incredible journey, the struggles she faced, and the indomitable human spirit that yearns for freedom.