Why are people being arrested for posting footage of Iran attacks in Dubai?
British nationals in the United Arab Emirates have been warned against sharing pictures or videos documenting war-related incidents amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
It comes after a British tourist was charged under cyber-crime laws in Dubai over alleged video footage showing missile strikes.
The man, 60, is accused of ‘broadcasting, publishing, republishing or circulating rumours or provocative propaganda that could disturb public security’, campaign group Detained in Dubai said.
Radha Stirling, the group’s chief executive, said the man had said that he deleted the video from his phone when asked and had no intention of doing anything wrong.
Dubai, which is in the UAE, has been hit with missiles amid the conflict between Iran and the US and Israel.
Why are people being arrested for sharing footage of Iranian attacks?
Detained in Dubai said the 60-year-old man was one of 21 people charged under cyber-crime laws in connection with videos and social media posts relating to the recent missile strikes.
The group said penalties in such cases can include up to two years in prison.
Dr Mira Al Hussein, Research Fellow at the Alwaleed Centre for the Study of Islam in the Contemporary World, University of Edinburgh, told Metro the UAE’s cyber-crime laws are ‘deliberately vague’ and ‘broad enough to be stretched retrospectively to cover whatever the moment requires’.
‘In this instance, the UAE has managed to cultivate a high level of public confidence in its capacity to intercept Iranian missiles and drones and minimise impact on civilian infrastructure, business and daily life,’ she said.
‘When images of strikes and damages circulate in ways that contradict the official account — attributing sounds and damage to successful interceptions and falling debris rather than to strikes that got through — that confidence is undermined.
‘It can generate public fear and disorder.
‘The UAE government wants to control not only the present story but the historical record.
‘Documented evidence of strikes and damages may include incidents that the government does not wish to acknowledge publicly.
‘It also raises questions about why specific sites were targeted.’
What warnings have been issued?
Repeated warnings have been issued through social and print media, advising people not to film, publish or share footage of strikes or interceptions and to only seek information from official sources.
The penalty for non-compliance is up to two years in prison or a £20,000 fine.
On Friday the British Embassy in the UAE posted on X: ‘UAE authorities warn against photographing, posting, or sharing images of incident sites or projectile damage as well as government buildings and diplomatic missions.
‘British nationals are subject to UAE laws, violations may lead to fines, imprisonment, or deportation.’
In a post on Instagram, the embassy said the UAE authorities have issued ‘several warnings’ regarding the photographing, publishing or sharing of images and videos ‘documenting incident sites or damage resulting from the fall of projectiles or shrapnel’.
The post continued: ‘Under UAE law, sharing” can include posting on social media platforms as well as sending or forwarding content via messaging applications.
‘UAE law also restricts the photographing of certain sites, including government buildings and diplomatic missions.’
Dr Al Hussein told Metro: ‘In a now-deleted video, the State Security department went further, encouraging the public to report those who film and share footage, describing them as traitors.
‘I have heard from people on the ground that police have been checking the phones of bystanders near damaged areas, not only for footage they filmed themselves, but also for videos downloaded from the internet.
‘This speaks to the gravity of this charge and to how seriously the UAE government is treating these incidents.’
Ms Stirling added: ‘Under UAE cybercrime laws, the person who originally posts content can be charged, but so can anyone who reshapes, reposts or comments on it.
‘One video can quickly lead to dozens of people facing criminal charges.’
The Foreign Office has confirmed it is in contact with local authorities after a British man was detained in the UAE.
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