A British tourist is being held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and has been formally charged with a cybercrime offense after allegedly filming Iranian missiles over the city. The 60-year-old man remains in detention.
According to reports, the man was charged under legislation prohibiting the publication or sharing of material that could disrupt public safety.
“We are in contact with local authorities following the detention of a British man in the UAE,” the British Foreign Office stated.

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UAE Minister of State for European Affairs, Lana Nusseibeh, told the BBC that she was “aware” of some legal violations, but did not comment specifically on the case of the British man. She explained that existing regulations were introduced to ensure public safety.
“My best advice to everyone here, who we welcome, is to follow the guidelines. Those guidelines are there for your safety and protection,” Nusseibeh said.
The penalty for violating UAE cybercrime laws includes a minimum of two years imprisonment, as well as a fine of 200,000 UAE dirhams, approximately $54,450. In an interview on British radio station LBC, the UAE Ambassador to the UK, Mansoor Abulhoul, stated that “the United Arab Emirates is a highly safe place.”
“The guidelines and regulations are there in the UAE to ensure the safety of people,” he added.
Abulhoul explained that the UAE prohibits recording to avoid individuals being hit by “falling debris.” The UAE Attorney General has warned the public against spreading photos or videos showing the locations of attacks or inaccurate information that could cause panic.
Further government warnings, disseminated via email, text message, and public information announcements, state, “Photographing or sharing locations of security sites or vital facilities, or reposting unreliable information, may result in legal action and compromise national security and stability. Compliance helps maintain the safety and stability of society.”
“Think before you share. Spreading rumors is a crime,” the UAE warned.
In a post on X, the British Embassy in the UAE said UAE authorities have warned against photographing, uploading, or sharing images of incident locations or damage from projectiles, as well as government buildings and diplomatic missions. British citizens are subject to UAE law, and violations could result in fines, imprisonment, or deportation.
More than 1,800 drones and missiles have been launched toward the UAE since the start of the U.S.-Israel war with Iran. Six people have been killed and 141 injured.
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