British court dismisses Bahrain’s bid to block activists’ spyware lawsuit
A British court has rejected Bahrain's attempt to block a lawsuit by activists over alleged spyware use. The ruling establishes that countries using spyware on people in the UK can be sued.
A British court has dismissed Bahrain's request to halt a lawsuit filed by activists who claim the kingdom used spyware against them while they were in the United Kingdom. The decision is a landmark moment, affirming that foreign states can be held accountable in UK courts for deploying surveillance software on individuals within British territory.
Bahrain had argued that the case should be thrown out due to jurisdictional issues and state immunity. However, the court ruled against these objections, allowing the activists' legal challenge to proceed. The lawsuit centers on allegations that Bahraini authorities used advanced spyware, such as Pegasus, to monitor activists' communications.
This ruling sets a precedent, signaling that UK courts are willing to consider cases involving extraterritorial use of spyware. It could encourage other victims of state-sponsored digital surveillance to seek justice in the UK. Activists' groups have welcomed the decision as a step toward holding governments accountable for human rights abuses linked to spyware.
The case now moves forward, and its outcome may influence international legal standards regarding cross-border cyber surveillance. Legal experts note that the ruling underscores the principle that no country is above the law when it comes to spying on individuals in the UK.
