Tourist and Father Detained in Dubai Over War Video Posts
A tourist and his father have been arrested in Dubai for posting videos of war-related incidents before authorities issued orders prohibiting such content on social media. The arrests occur under the emirate's stringent and often opaque cybersecurity laws, which have led to the detention of dozens of individuals sharing footage of Iran's attacks. This crackdown aims to maintain Dubai's reputation as a care-free destination, according to human rights advocates.
Details of the Arrest and Legal Context
According to Radha Stirling from the human rights group Detained in Dubai, the tourist and his father are being held at the mercy of state security without access to a lawyer, embassy assistance, or their phones. The tourist expressed deep regret to his family for posting the footage and has apologised to the United Arab Emirates, even though the posting occurred before official warnings were issued. This incident follows the arrest of three foreign survivors of a drone strike on a building in Creek Harbour, who were detained after sending photos of the explosion to loved ones to confirm their safety. Police arrested them after requesting to see their phones.
Ms Stirling commented, 'Three traumatised survivors of an Iran drone strike were arrested after privately sharing a photo with loved ones confirming they were alive following an explosion on their apartment floor. Instead of receiving victim support, they were locked up by Dubai police.' Last week, a 60-year-old British man was among 21 people charged under cyber-crime laws for videos and social media posts related to recent missile strikes. The Londoner is accused of broadcasting rumours or provocative propaganda that could disturb public security, though he claimed to have deleted the video when asked and had no malicious intent.
Broader Crackdown and Legal Penalties
The group facing charges, comprising individuals of various nationalities, is undergoing an expedited trial for publishing misleading content on digital platforms as the Middle East conflict escalates. Penalties can include up to two years in prison. Over the weekend, UAE police released mugshots of 25 people arrested for sharing war footage, part of a brutal suppression of free speech. Dubai officials have attempted to downplay the situation, telling residents that loud booms in the sky signify safety due to air defence actions.
Dubai's government rigorously monitors social media, threatening jail for anyone sharing information that incites panic. In a recent Instagram post, the British embassy noted that UAE authorities have issued multiple warnings against photographing, publishing, or sharing images of incident sites or damage from projectiles. The post clarified that sharing includes posting on social media and forwarding content via messaging apps, with restrictions also applying to photographing government buildings and diplomatic missions.
Recent Incidents and Government Response
Dubai has been targeted by thousands of Iranian missiles and drones since the war began. On Monday, an Iranian drone struck a fuel tank near Dubai Airport, causing a massive fire that diverted flights and closed roads, with black smoke visible for miles. Authorities quickly used social media to reassure the public, calling it a drone-related incident with minimal damage and no injuries. This marks the first time the Dubai government admitted a drone caused damage, rather than debris from an interception.
The UAE stated it is closely monitoring social media to prevent the spread of fabricated information that could incite public disorder. On Saturday, it emerged that up to 100 people had been arrested for filming drone or missile strikes, with Abu Dhabi Police alone detaining 45 individuals of multiple nationalities. In a social media statement, Dubai Police warned that sharing rumours or false content contradicting official announcements is prohibited, with violators facing imprisonment and fines of at least Dh200,000 (approximately £41,000). They also cautioned against photographing critical sites, emphasising that such actions compromise national security.
