UK man faces cybercrime charge in Dubai after filming missiles
The man, who is from London, is said to have been charged under the UAE’s cybercrime laws, which criminalise the sharing or publication of material considered harmful to public security.
A British tourist has been charged in Dubai after authorities allegedly found footage of an Iranian missile strike on his phone, according to a legal support organisation assisting detainees in the United Arab Emirates.
The man, who is from London, is said to have been charged under the UAE’s cybercrime laws, which criminalise the sharing or publication of material considered harmful to public security.
The case was disclosed by Detained in Dubai, a group that provides legal support to people facing criminal proceedings in the Gulf state.
Its chief executive, Radha Stirling, said the British national was among 21 people charged after police allegedly discovered the video.
She told the BBC that the wording of the case against him was unclear, describing the formal charges as vague.
According to Ms Stirling, the charge sheet did not clearly explain what offence had been committed, despite the decision to prosecute.
She also said the detained man’s family had since been able to speak with him.
The UK Foreign Office is understood to be providing support to the family.
Ms Stirling argued that the arrests were linked to efforts by the authorities to control perceptions of safety in Dubai amid regional instability.
She said the UAE appeared keen to avoid images that might undermine its reputation as a secure destination for visitors.
Human rights groups have long raised concerns about freedom of expression in the UAE.
Amnesty International has previously accused the country of using a range of laws to criminalise speech and punish people seen as critical of the government.
The case comes at a time of heightened tension across the Middle East.
The conflict entered a second week after the United States and Israel launched major strikes on Iran on 28 February, reportedly killing the country’s supreme leader.
Iran has since responded with attacks targeting Israel and US-aligned states in the Gulf, with some strikes reportedly affecting civilian sites and energy infrastructure.
The fallout has also affected life across the region, with damage reported to major landmarks in the UAE and air travel disrupted on several routes across the Middle East.
