Why A Tourist Was Charged Under Cybercrime Laws In Dubai Amid West Asia Crisis Over A Video?

Last Updated:March 14, 2026, 16:41 IST

A 60-year-old British tourist in Dubai faces charges under UAE cybercrime laws for allegedly filming Iranian missiles over the city.

A 60-year-old British man has been charged under cybercrime laws in the UAE’s Dubai for allegedly filming Iranian missiles over the city, UK authorities said.

The accused, reported to be a tourist, was charged under a law that prohibits sharing materials that could affect public security. “We are in contact with the local authorities following the detention of a British man in the UAE," CNN cited the United Kingdom’s Foreign Office as saying.

Lana Nusseibeh, the UAE’s minister of state to the European Union, told the BBC that she was aware of the matter, adding “there had been some violations" of the law. “My best advice to everyone here, who we welcome being here… is follow the guidelines. The guidelines are there for your safety and for your protection."

Violating cybercrime laws in the UAE invites a minimum of two years in prison, along with a penalty of 200,000 UAE dirham (around USD 54,000).

Last Friday, the Attorney General of the UAE warned people against publishing and circulating photos or videos featuring sites of the strikes or information that could create panic among citizens.

Another government warning, issued to citizens via emails, text messages and public information announcements, read: “Photographing or sharing security or critical sites, or reposting unreliable information, may result in legal action and compromise national security and stability. Compliance helps keep the community safe and stable."

West Asia Conflict 

The development came as the US-Israel war on Iran entered its 15th day on Saturday, March 14, with Tehran intensifying retaliatory strikes across the Gulf nations.

Several countries in the region reported evacuations, safety advisories and travel disruptions as unrest continued to rise.

The UAE’s National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) urged residents to stay away from any debris that may have fallen after aerial interceptions. Authorities appealed to the public not to touch or photograph any such objects.

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