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// DOSSIER — uae-funded-mercenary-covert-surveillance-british-activist-london
UAE-Funded Mercenary Spearheaded Covert Surveillance of British Activist in London
REL_TIME: 22 Aug 2026 17:12Z · LANG: EN
An investigation revealed that Abraham Golan, a mercenary funded by the United Arab Emirates through Spear Operations Group, conducted a covert surveillance operation in London during late 2016 targeting British academic and activist Anas Altikriti. Golan and an associate tracked Altikriti's home, workplace, and daily routines, with evidence suggesting discussions of potential physical elimination. The operation occurred amidst UAE efforts to target figures linked to the Muslim Brotherhood, though UK intelligence found no evidence of Brotherhood involvement in UK terrorism. London police had previously issued warnings to Altikriti without revealing the foreign origin of the threat.
// Background
In November 2014, the UAE designated 83 groups as terrorist organizations, including UK-based entities like the Cordoba Foundation, Muslim Association of Britain, and Islamic Relief. The UAE views the Muslim Brotherhood as an existential political threat following the 2011 Arab Spring. However, a 2015 UK government review concluded there was no evidence of Muslim Brotherhood involvement in terrorism within the UK. In 2015, the UAE hired Spear Operations Group to execute targeted assassinations against Brotherhood-linked political figures in Yemen, including a failed bombing targeting MP Anssaf Ali Mayo.
// Key Developments
- Abraham Golan and Spear Operations Group received millions from the UAE, including a $1 million bonus shortly before the London operation.
- Golan shared surveillance maps, photos of Altikriti's house and car, and office routes with a UK strategist who was offered up to £100,000 to assist.
- Associates discussed physically eliminating Altikriti, prompting the UK strategist to back out over fears of an assassination plot.
- London police twice visited Altikriti to issue Osman safety warnings without revealing the source of the danger.
- The UAE proscribed Altikriti's Cordoba Foundation in 2014 over alleged Muslim Brotherhood links, which the UK government reviewed and did not endorse.
// Timeline
-
The UAE proscribes 83 organisations as terrorist groups, including the UK-based Cordoba Foundation, MAB, and Islamic Relief.
-
Golan's team carries out a failed assassination attempt against Yemeni MP Anssaf Ali Mayo in Yemen on behalf of the UAE.
-
Abraham Golan contacts UK strategist 'Victor' asking for channels to Anas Altikriti and the Cordoba Foundation.
-
Golan arrives in London, offers Victor up to £100,000 for help, and shares detailed surveillance files of Altikriti.
-
Golan messages Victor from Washington DC stating his team remains in London to continue the operation.
-
Victor officially withdraws from the operation after suspecting an assassination plot.
// Perspectives
[Anas Altikriti and Muslim Association of Britain]
Alarmed and horrified by foreign state interference, calling for an urgent independent UK government investigation into UAE covert operations on British soil.
[Abraham Golan]
Refused to provide substantive responses, stating he had nothing to declare while maintaining his past work was sanctioned by the UAE.
[UK Home Office]
Declined to comment on the matter, adhering to standard policy on security and intelligence issues.
[United Arab Emirates Government]
Maintained a policy of proscribing Muslim Brotherhood-aligned entities as terrorist threats, but provided no official response regarding the London mercenary operation.
// Quotes
“I feel physically sick... At the time my children were three and one and a half years old.”
“For all intents and purposes, we were Emirati soldiers.”
“War is coming to Europe and we are at the beginning of a huge programme.”
“It is our longstanding policy not to comment on security and intelligence matters.”
