UAE Arrests 70 British Nationals for Sharing Iran Strike Footage ۔Face Up to 10 Years in Prison

Dubai/London — The United Arab Emirates has arrested 70 British citizens for filming and sharing videos and images of Iranian drone and missile strikes, in a sweeping crackdown aimed at protecting the Gulf state’s image of safety and stability.
According to a report by two UK-based human rights organizations working with Emirati lawyers, those detained include tourists, expatriate residents, and airline cabin crew, held in overcrowded police cells and in some cases denied sleep, food, and medication. They face up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to £200,000.
Abu Dhabi Police confirmed that over 109 people of various nationalities have been detained for “filming sites and events and disseminating inaccurate information” — conduct authorities say could “stir public opinion and spread rumors.” 
One British man, a 60-year-old tourist, was charged under UAE cybercrime laws for filming Iranian missiles over Dubai. The UAE’s cybercrime legislation carries a minimum penalty of two years in prison and a 200,000 dirham fine (approximately $54,000). 
Radha Stirling, CEO of advocacy group Detained in Dubai, warned that under UAE law, not only the person who originally posts content can be charged, but also anyone who reposts, reshares, or comments on it — meaning a single video can lead to dozens of criminal charges. 
The arrests highlight the strict regulations around online content in the UAE, which has expressly forbidden anyone from taking or sharing imagery showing Iranian drone or missile impacts or efforts to intercept the weapons. 
Since the conflict began on February 28, 2026, Iran has fired 398 ballistic missiles, 1,872 drones, and 15 cruise missiles at the UAE. Eleven people have been killed and 178 injured, with most projectiles intercepted by UAE’s THAAD and Patriot missile defense systems.  (Wikipedia) The UK Embassy in Abu Dhabi has urged British nationals to comply fully with UAE laws, warning that violations may result in fines, imprisonment, or deportation.