UAE allegedly hired mercenary to target British activist Anas al-Takriti
An ITV investigation reveals the UAE allegedly paid a contractor to surveil and possibly assassinate British activist Anas al-Takriti in London.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
A new investigation has uncovered allegations that the United Arab Emirates contracted a mercenary to spy on and potentially kill a British activist on UK soil. The alleged plot, detailed by a former colleague, involved Abraham Golan, a former French Foreign Legion fighter who had previously worked for the UAE in Yemen.
According to messages and testimony, Golan was asked to assemble a team of veterans to track Anas al-Takriti, head of the London-based Cordoba Foundation think tank. The surveillance began in 2016, days after the then Prince Charles visited Abu Dhabi to strengthen UK-UAE relations. Golan reportedly offered $100,000 for a researcher to compile a brief on al-Takriti's addresses, including his home, office and mosque.
A source known as 'Victor', a former colleague of Golan, said the mercenary made clear he had been commissioned by the UAE. During one meeting, a former US Navy SEAL accompanying Golan made a slicing motion across his neck when asked about al-Takriti's fate, suggesting assassination. Victor said he was asked to introduce al-Takriti under the pretence of writing a book about the Muslim Brotherhood.
Al-Takriti, whose father was an Iraqi politician linked to the Muslim Brotherhood, said the UAE had long viewed him as an enemy. His think tank, the Cordoba Foundation, was added to the UAE's terror list in 2014, alongside Al-Qaeda and ISIS, but the UK rejected that designation.
Golan left the UK in December 2016 but his operation continued, and documents show he received a six-figure salary that year. Al-Takriti later contacted the police, who said there was a threat to his life but could not provide details. British officials have not commented, and the UAE has not responded to repeated requests. The investigation raises questions about the trust placed in a major economic ally that is accused of attempting to murder a British citizen on British soil.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | ITV |
|---|---|
| Golan offered $100,000 for a brief on al-Triti's movements and addresses. | |
| Police later told al-Triti there was a threat to his life. | |
| The UAE hired Abraham Golan to conduct surveillance on Anas al-Triti in London. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
The channel led with the investigation as a major news story, framing it as a breach of trust by a close ally. It emphasised the personal threat to al-Takriti, the use of a 'gun for hire', and the diplomatic context of the UK's relationship with the UAE. The report included graphic details and a confrontational tone about the apparent hypocrisy of the UAE's actions.
- “More alarming still is when a trusted ally does it.”
- “A former fighter for the French Foreign Legion, he assembled a team of military veterans from around the world.”
- “The final nail in the coffin was when he said to me, what would happen if Al-Takriti was, and then made a slicing motion across his neck.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.