Dubai isn’t just arresting influencers – three held for sharing bomb pictures privately
Three people were being held by authorities in Dubai for sharing images of a drone strike on their apartment building.
They were arrested after the Iranian projectiles hit Creek Harbour causing significant damage on Thursday, according to action group Detained in Dubai.
CEO Radha Stirling said these arrests were all the more shocking because the pictures were not shared publicly.
She said: ‘Foreign residents often assume that sending a photo privately to family members is harmless.
‘In the UAE, even a personal unshared photograph related to sensitive events can trigger a criminal investigation.’
The UAE has been cracking down on people taking photos of the damage from Iranian strikes to protect the state’s reputation for security.
Dubai police warned that sharing ‘rumours, false information, or any content that condradicts official announcements’ is strictly prohibited.
‘Violators may face criminal penalties, including imprisonment and fines of no less than £41,000.
‘It may seem like just a photo… But to some, it’s information. Do not photograph or share security or critical sites.’
The government has been monitoring social media to delete images that don’t fit that narrative.
Stirling added: ‘When people experience something as shocking as a drone strike hitting their building, their first instict is to contact their families and let them know they are safe.
‘Criminalising that human respone risks punishing victims rather than protecting them.’
Early today, an Iranian drone strike hit a fuel tank near Dubai Airport, grounding flights at the busy airport to a halt.
Dubai International is the busiest airport in the Middle East and the busiest in the world for international passenger traffic.
Last year, 95.2 million people passed through the hub, and numbers were predicted to approach 100 million in 2026.
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