British Tourist Charged in Dubai for Filming Iranian Missiles

A 60-year-old British man from London is facing potential prison time in Dubai after being arrested for allegedly filming Iranian missiles over the city, in a case that highlights the serious legal risks facing tourists and expats in the UAE during the ongoing regional conflict.

The man, who has not been named, was on holiday when he was detained on Monday and taken to Bur Dubai police station, which is the same station where British businessman Lee Brown died in 2011 after being held for five days. He deleted the video immediately when asked and said that he had no intention of doing anything wrong, but has still been charged alongside 20 others under the UAE's cybercrime laws.

The 21 people charged are accused of using "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." If convicted, the British tourist could face up to two years in prison, fines of up to 200,000 UAE dirhams (around £40,680), deportation, or some combination of all three.

Radha Stirling, CEO of campaign group Detained in Dubai, said the charges were "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," she said. "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."

Stirling also warned of the compounding effect of multiple counts. Someone who reposts several clips could theoretically face cumulative charges and sentences stacked on top of one another. "There are countless images, videos and news reports circulating online about the conflict," she said. "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."

She added a broader warning for anyone travelling to the region: "Foreigners need to understand that what may seem like normal social media behaviour elsewhere can lead to arrest in the UAE. In some circumstances people can find themselves being treated as national security suspects before the facts are even clarified."

The UAE has been under sustained attack since Iran began targeting Gulf states on 28th February in retaliation for US-Israeli airstrikes. The country's Ministry of Defence says it has engaged with more than 1,500 drones and 268 ballistic missiles since the war began, with some striking the airport and damaging a hotel. Influencers and tourists have been widely sharing footage of missiles and their interceptions over Dubai since the attacks began.

Authorities have become increasingly sensitive. UAE officials warned earlier this month that posting material about the conflict could result in prison, and some people have reportedly been questioned simply for temporarily filming missile interceptions. According to Detained in Dubai, more than 200 people in Qatar have already been charged under similar laws since the conflict began.

The UK Foreign Office is understood to be supporting the detained man's family, who are said to be "extremely worried."