Sharing footage of attacks can lead to a prison term, hefty fines or deportation under the Gulf state\u2019s laws<\/p>\n
Forty-five people of various nationalities have been arrested for sharing videos of Iranian missile and drone strikes on the UAE, police in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi have confirmed.
\nIran has extensively targeted American bases and other assets in the Gulf States since being attacked by the US and Israel in late February. Tehran says it feels \u201cno hostility\u201d towards its Arab neighbors, but insists that Washington\u2019s facilities are \u201clegitimate targets.\u201d
\nThe publication of videos of Iranian attacks could provoke public concern and lead to the spreading of rumors within the community, the police said on Saturday. Legal and administrative measures have been taken against those responsible, it added.
\nOn Thursday, Detained in Dubai consultancy reported that 21 people, including a 60-year-old British national, have been charged in the UAE under the country\u2019s cybercrime laws for filming the strikes.
\nUnder the UAE\u2019s laws, they could face up to two years in prison and fines ranging from around $5,500 to $54,500; foreigners risk deportation.<\/p>\n
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\u201cThe 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,\u201d Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai, said.
\nShe warned that \u201cforeigners need to understand that what may seem like normal social media behavior elsewhere can lead to arrest in the UAE.\u201d
\nOn Monday, Qatar said that it had detained more than 300 people for filming Iranian strikes. A few days later, Bahrain announced the detention of six individuals on similar charges. The monarchy\u2019s interior ministry urged the public \u201cto refrain from circulating or re-posting unreliable videos or news to avoid legal accountability.\u201d
\n\u201cIf governments [in the Gulf] begin arresting expatriates for sharing or discussing news during a conflict, it risks undermining the image they have tried to build as safe, modern international hubs,\u201d Stirling stressed.<\/p>\n
READ MORE: US burning through \u2018years\u2019 of munitions in Iran war \u2013 FT<\/p>\n
Israel has also stepped up censorship during the conflict, which it initiated together with Washington, forbidding live broadcasts showing city skylines during Iranian missile attacks, images identifying locations of strikes, and other content deemed to be a security threat.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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