Dubai charges British man who 'filmed missiles'

 A British man arrested after allegedly filming missiles targeting Dubai is one of 21 people who have been charged under cybercrime laws.

The 60-year-old man, whose arrest on Monday was first reported by The Telegraph, is said to have deleted the video from his phone immediately when asked. He claims he had no intention of doing anything wrong.

However, the Londoner has been charged together with 20 others in connection with videos and social media posts relating to recent Iranian missile strikes on the United Arab Emirates, according to campaign group Detained in Dubai.

The tourist was held at Bur Dubai police station following his arrest, the same station where British businessman Lee Brown died in 2011 having been held for five days.

If found guilty, the British citizen could face up to two years in prison. His family are said to be “extremely worried”.

According to the campaign group, the 21 charged are accused of having used an information network or information technology tool to broadcast, publish, republish or circulate false news, rumours or provocative propaganda that may incite public opinion or disturb public security.

Cybercrime laws in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are among the strictest in the world and any commentary about regional conflict, government policy or security matters could be seen as a criminal offence.

Radha Stirling, chief executive of Detained in Dubai, said: “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.

“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.”

Penalties in such cases can include up to two years in prison and fines as high as 200,000 UAE dirhams (£40,680), or a combination of the two.

Foreign nationals convicted of such an offence also face deportation.

Ms Stirling also warned that multiple counts can be applied. This means a person who reposts several clips or articles could face cumulative charges and multiple sentences.

She said: “There are countless images, videos and news reports circulating online about the conflict.

“People understandably assume that if something is already widely shared or published by media outlets, it must be acceptable to comment on or repost it. In the UAE, that assumption can be extremely dangerous.”

Influencers and tourists have shared images of missiles falling – and often being intercepted – in Dubai since Tehran began to attack Gulf countries on Feb 28 in retaliation for joint US-Israeli air strikes on Iran.

The UAE has come under attack from more than 1,700 drones and missiles since the war began, shattering its image of a safe, low-tax, high-growth playground for influencers and expats.

Earlier this month, UAE authorities warned tourists and expats that they could face prison for posting material about the conflict.

The Gulf state’s authorities are said to have become highly sensitive since the war began, with some suspects reportedly questioned after simply recording or temporarily filming missile interceptions.

Elsewhere in the Gulf, more than 200 people in Qatar have already been charged under similar laws since the conflict began, according to Detained in Dubai.