US EditionUp to 70 Britons Detained in UAE for Sharing Images of Iranian Strikes
Up to 70 British nationals face detention under UAE cybercrime laws for filming or sharing images of Iranian missile strikes, risking up to 10 years in prison and heavy fines.
- On Sunday, reports emerged that about 70 British nationals have been detained in the United Arab Emirates for filming or sharing images of Iranian missile and drone strikes.
- Federal Decree-Law No.34 of 2021 criminalizes filming or sharing footage from incident sites; Article 52 prescribes a minimum one-year sentence and an AED100,000 fine for unauthorized documentation.
- Detained in Dubai chief executive Radha Stirling reported that "British citizens are being held in overcrowded conditions, denied medication, and pressured to sign confessions without legal representation." Enforcement targets even those who merely received images.
- An FCDO spokesperson said the office is "providing consular assistance to a small number of British nationals detained in the UAE," though officials believe only five are currently receiving such support.
- Amid a sustained barrage of Iranian missiles and drones, authorities continue warning the public to rely solely on official sources, as security checks on mobile devices present ongoing legal risks for travelers in the region.
21 Articles
21 Articles
Dozens of Britons in UAE arrested for taking photos or videos of Iran attacks
As many as 70 Britons could be detained in the United Arab Emirates after filming footage of Iran’s attacks on the Gulf state. A UK-based campaign group is urging the Government to take action after dozens fell afoul of the UAE’s stringent cybercrime legislation, which prohibits the distribution of conflict-related imagery online.The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has confirmed it is supporting detainees, though it characterised the …
The Independent
The Independent (US)Up to 70 Britons detained in UAE over Iran attack footage, campaign group warns
Ms Stirling warned that more Brits could be detained as the conflict continues
At least 70 British citizens have been arrested in the United Arab Emirates after photographing or filming drone and missile attacks, The Mail on Sunday reports. Rights groups say they are being held in overcrowded prisons and face long sentences under the country's tough security laws.
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