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A 60-year-old British tourist from London was detained and formally charged in Dubai under the United Arab Emirates’ strict cybercrime laws after allegedly recording Iranian missiles flying over the city.
The man, whose identity has not been revealed, is part of a group of 21 people of various nationalities being prosecuted for the same reason: recording and sharing material related to recent Iranian missile and drone attacks that have struck Emirati territory.
According to reports confirmed by British authorities and the organization Detained in Dubai, the tourist was arrested on Monday, March 9, 2026, in the Bur Dubai area.
Police found a video on his phone showing an Iranian missile impact in Dubai, although the man claims he deleted it immediately when confronted by the authorities and denies any intention of publishing or distributing it.
Nevertheless, he was charged with “using an information network or technological tool to disseminate, publish, republish, or circulate false news, rumors, or provocative propaganda that may incite public opinion or disturb public security.”
The invoked Emirati law expressly prohibits publishing or sharing any material that may “disturb public security.”
The UAE Attorney General’s Office had previously issued warnings: “Photographing or sharing attack sites, unreliable information, or images of projectile damage may lead to legal action and compromise national security.”
Since the start of the current conflict between Iran, the United States, and Israel on February 28, 2026, the Emirates have reported more than 1,800 drones and missiles launched against their territory, resulting in six deaths and 141 injuries.
The Emirati Ministry of Defense and senior officials, including the ambassador to the United Kingdom Mansoor Abulhoul, justified the measures as citizen protection: preventing missile fragments from falling on those filming and avoiding panic or the disclosure of defensive positions.
The British Embassy in Abu Dhabi immediately published an official alert on X: “UAE authorities warn against photographing, posting, or sharing images of incident sites, projectile damage, government buildings, or diplomatic missions. British nationals are subject to UAE laws; violations may lead to fines, imprisonment, or deportation.”
UAE authorities warn against photographing, posting, or sharing images of incident sites or projectile damage as well as government buildings and diplomatic missions. British nationals are subject to UAE laws, violations may lead to fines, imprisonment, or deportation. #UKUAECR26
— UK in UAE 🇬🇧🇦🇪 (@ukinuae) March 13, 2026
The British Foreign Office confirmed that it remains in contact with local authorities and is supporting the detainee’s family. The minimum penalty is two years in prison plus a fine of up to 200,000 dirhams (approximately $54,000).
Radha Stirling, director of Detained in Dubai, has stated that the charges are “vague” and that the case reflects the hypersensitivity of Emirati authorities to any visual recording of the conflict.
This incident is not isolated.The same sources indicate that the 21 individuals charged were prosecuted together for videos and social media posts linked to the Iranian attacks. While Iran intensifies its regional aggression, the Emirates prioritize narrative control to preserve their image of stability and tourist safety.
The case of the British tourist exposes how, in the midst of a real war with thousands of projectiles in the air, a simple act of visual recording can cost freedom even to someone who had no intention of publishing it.
About The Author
Joana Campos
Joana Campos es abogada y editora con más de 10 años de experiencia en la gestión de proyectos de desarrollo internacional, enfocada en la sostenibilidad y el impacto social positivo. Anteriormente, trabajó como abogada corporativa. Egresada de la Universidad de Guadalajara.
