A British tourist is facing two years in prison in Dubai for allegedly filming missiles hitting the city, as the United Arab Emirates cracks down on those sharing what it calls “rumours”.
The Londoner, aged 60, was arrested on Monday night and has been charged alongside 20 others over videos and online posts related to Iranian missile attacks on Dubai.
He reportedly deleted the video immediately when asked to and insisted he did not intend to break the law.
The man, whose name has not been reported, is accused of “broadcasting, publishing, republishing or circulating rumours or provocative propaganda that could disturb public security”, a crime which carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison.
The UAE has said it will jail anyone sharing information that “results in inciting panic among people”.
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Around 240,000 British expats live in Dubai, which is currently being targeted by Iranian missile and drone attacks.
Radha Stirling, the CEO of advocacy group Detained in Dubai, said: “Under UAE cybercrime laws, one post can lead to many arrests. Anyone who shares, reposts or comments on the same content can face the same charges and be named on the same charge sheet.
“The charges are vague and broad but serious nonetheless,” she said. “Those charged could face lengthy prison sentences.Â
‘Dubai’s nightmare’: Iranian strikes shatter calm of UAE business hub
“Residents could also be detained under national security laws, held indefinitely, denied access to their embassy and be subjected to human rights abuses. In times of tension, extreme caution is advised.”
Andreas Krieg, associate professor at the Defence Studies Department of King’s College London, said: “The UAE should be smarter than imprisoning a British tourist over a cybercrime offense at a time when it needs to reassure expats to stay and/or return to Dubai”.
Dubai’s global image as a safe, tax-free business hub and holiday paradise has been shattered in the past two weeks, as buildings – including the city’s airport and its iconic Fairmont hotel on Palm Jumeirah – have been hit by Iranian missiles and drones.
Iranian strikes have killed at least 12 civilians across the Gulf states. In the UAE, every civilian casualty has been a migrant worker.
The government has launched a major crackdown on social media posts and videos depicting the attacks, in a bid to limit the reputational damage to the country.
Western influencers in Dubai have instead been sharing pro-government posts and videos praising Dubai’s leader Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.