1 of 2 | A damaged building stands in the Dubai International Financial Center. The damage was caused by debris from the interception of an Iranian drone attack in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Friday. Those in the UAE are being warned not to take photos or videos of damage or they could be charged under cybercrime laws. Photo by a stringer/EPA
March 13 (UPI) — Several people, including tourists and influencers, have been arrested in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, for possessing, sharing or commenting on digital content that shows attacks or damage from attacks by Iran in the country.
There have been 21 people arrested in the emirate, said advocacy organization Detained in Dubai.
“The charges sound extremely vague but serious on paper. In reality, the alleged conduct could be something as simple as sharing or commenting on a video that is already circulating online,” said Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai and Due Process International.
“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,” Stirling said.
Penalties can include up to two years in prison, fines ranging from about $5,500 to $55,000, and foreign nationals will face deportation.
“Foreigners need to understand that what may seem like normal social media behavior elsewhere can lead to arrest in the UAE,” Stirling said. “In some circumstances people can find themselves treated as national security suspects before the facts are even clarified.”
One 60-year-old British tourist has been charged under cybercrime laws for allegedly filming Iranian missiles over the city.
“We are in contact with the local authorities following the detention of a British man in the UAE,” the United Kingdom’s Foreign Office told CNN.
The UAE’s ambassador to the United Kingdom told British radio station LBC that the “United Arab Emirates is very safe.”
“The guidelines and regulations are there in the UAE to ensure people’s safety,” he said. He added that people filming could be hit by “falling debris.”
Stirling also said that Qatar has already charged more than 200 people under similar laws since the Iran war began.
The UAE defense ministry said on X Friday that 1,800 drones and missiles have been fired at the UAE since the war with Iran began.
Six people from the Emirates, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh have been killed, and 141 people have suffered mild to moderate injuries.
