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On 23 May 2017, reports emerged that an
“unknown” entity had hacked Qatar News
Agency, publishing fake remarks by His Highness
the Amir concerning Israel, the Muslim
Brotherhood and US foreign policy.
Initially, certain Arabic media outlets carried
some of the fake news. To rebut this, the
Government Communications Office issued
a statement by His Excellency Sheikh Saif Al
Thani addressing the issue in the morning of
24 May, working to ensure a balanced media
narrative around the events.
Following the unlawful hacking, on 5 June, Saudi
Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and
Egypt launched an illegal blockade of Qatar on
the basis of unfounded allegations of support for
terrorism.
It represented a flagrant violation of international
law and an attack on Qatar’s sovereignty.
Not long after, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
released a statement expressing its “deep regret”
at the situation, particularly at the decision of
these countries to close their borders and airspace
over baseless allegations.
The ministry affirmed that it had been the victim
of a “campaign of lies” and that there was “no
legitimate justification” for the move.
On the morning of 6 June, HE the Foreign
Minister spoke with Al Jazeera. He expressed
“regrets and surprise over the escalations against
Qatar”.
“Qatar News Agency website, which is the
government news agency, has been hacked
by an unknown entity. A false statement
attributed to His Highness the Amir Sheikh
Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani has been
published… The competent authorities
in the State of Qatar will hold all of those
committed accountable.”
His Excellency Sheikh Saif bin Ahmed
Al Thani,
Director of the Government Communications Office
Media statement on 24 May 2017