YouTuber Ghanem al-Masarir had amassed a massive following, with his videos garnering hundreds of millions of views.

Operating from his residence in Wembley, al-Masarir had established himself as a vocal critic of the Saudi Arabian royal family, known for his outspoken and sometimes provocative comedy style, which had attracted both admirers and powerful detractors.

Al-Masarir initially noticed anomalies with his mobile devices, which had become unusually sluggish and were rapidly depleting their battery life.

He then began to encounter individuals who appeared to be supporters of the Saudi regime in various locations throughout London, who would approach and harass him, often filming their interactions; it remained unclear how they were able to track his movements so consistently.

Al-Masarir's suspicions that his phone had been compromised were later validated by cyber experts, who confirmed that he had been targeted by the notorious Pegasus spyware, becoming the latest victim of this sophisticated hacking tool.

In an interview with the BBC, al-Masarir expressed his shock and distress upon discovering the extent of the hacking. He stated that his location, camera, and microphone could be accessed remotely, and that all his personal data, including photos, had been compromised, leaving him with a profound sense of violation.

Following a six-year legal dispute, the High Court in London delivered a verdict on Monday, holding Saudi Arabia accountable and ordering the kingdom to pay al-Masarir compensation exceeding £3m ($4.1m).

The hacking of al-Masarir's iPhones occurred in 2018, after he clicked on links in three text messages that appeared to be from reputable news outlets, offering special membership deals.

The consequences of the hacking were severe, with al-Masarir experiencing stalking, harassment, and physical violence, including a brutal assault in central London in August of that year.

According to testimony presented in court, al-Masarir was confronted by two unknown individuals who demanded to know why he was speaking out against the Saudi royal family, before physically attacking him, punching him in the face, and continuing the assault.

The confrontation was interrupted by bystanders, prompting the two individuals to back down, hurling insults that included calling the YouTuber a "slave of Qatar" and threatening to "teach him a lesson".

According to the High Court judge, the physical altercation was deliberate and pre-planned, with one of the attackers wearing an earpiece at the time of the incident.

In his written ruling, Mr Justice Saini stated that there is substantial evidence to suggest the assault and hacking were either directed or sanctioned by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, or by individuals acting on its behalf.

The judge's ruling noted that the Saudi government had a clear motive to silence the claimant's public criticism, given its interest in suppressing such dissenting voices.

The harassment persisted even after the assault, with an incident in 2019 where a child approached al-Masarir at a café in Kensington and sang a song in praise of King Salman, the Saudi monarch.

A video of the incident quickly gained traction online, sparking a social media trend with a dedicated hashtag and even airing on Saudi state television.

Later that day, al-Masarir was approached by a man outside a restaurant in west London, who issued a threatening message, stating "your days are numbered", before departing the scene.

Originally from Saudi Arabia, al-Masarir has resided in the UK for over two decades, initially arriving in Portsmouth to pursue his studies.

Now a British citizen residing in Wembley, al-Masarir's movements are restricted due to fear, particularly when visiting central London, a lingering consequence of a past attack.

Al-Masarir, 45, has become a prominent figure in the Arabic-speaking world, known for his satirical YouTube content, which often criticizes the Saudi leadership, specifically targeting Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman.

With over 345 million views, Al-Masarir's comedic commentary and critiques of the Saudi government, which sometimes included personal attacks, resonated with a large audience and frequently went viral.

A video in which he denounced the authorities' reaction to a viral clip of girls dancing in Saudi Arabia has garnered 16 million views, making it his most-watched clip. However, the audio has been removed from the YouTube version, and Al-Masarir is unsure when or how this occurred.

Following a hacking and cyber attack, Al-Masarir's demeanor has changed significantly, with the formerly outspoken figure now exhibiting signs of depression and fear. In a rare interview with the BBC, he spoke in a reserved manner and opted not to reveal his face fully.

It has been three years since Al-Masarir last posted a video, and despite emerging victorious in a legal battle, he believes the Saudi government has successfully muted his voice.

Al-Masarir reflected on the experience, stating, "The harm caused by the hack is irreparable, regardless of any financial compensation." He added, "I'm no longer the same person I was before; the hacking incident has had a profound impact on me."

An investigation by experts from the University of Toronto's Citizen Lab revealed that al-Masarir's device had been compromised by Pegasus spyware. Following an on-site analysis in London, the team concluded that Saudi Arabia was likely responsible for the hacking incident.

The Pegasus spyware, developed by the Israeli firm NSO Group, is a sophisticated and contentious surveillance tool. According to NSO Group, its software is solely sold to government agencies for the purpose of monitoring and tracking individuals involved in terrorism and other criminal activities.

However, research conducted by Citizen Lab has uncovered instances of Pegasus spyware on the devices of various individuals, including politicians, journalists, and dissidents, such as al-Masarir.

Initially, when al-Masarir attempted to file a lawsuit against Saudi Arabia, the kingdom cited the State Immunity Act of 1978, claiming it provided them with protection from legal proceedings.

In a 2022 ruling, the court determined that Saudi Arabia was not entitled to immunity, leading to the country's absence from subsequent proceedings.

According to the High Court judge, Saudi Arabia has neglected to submit a defense or respond to the application, and has also disregarded multiple additional orders, making its participation in the claim appear unlikely.

The total amount of damages awarded is £3,025,662.83, although it remains uncertain whether Saudi Arabia will comply with the payment.

The BBC reached out to the Saudi embassy in London for a response, but has yet to receive a reply.

Al-Masarir has expressed his resolve to uphold the judgment, stating that he is prepared to utilize international courts if necessary, while also acknowledging that no financial compensation can fully rectify the significant disruption the hack has caused to his life.

A sense of dismay has been expressed over an incident in London, within Great Britain, where individuals appear to have evaded accountability.