A British man held in the UAE for snapping Iranian missile strikes claims he and fellow inmates were savagely beaten by police while locked up. The shocking details emerged in a handwritten note smuggled out of the prison, shared by campaigner Radha Stirling of Detained In Dubai.
Dozens of Britons Detained Over Drone and Missile Pictures
Up to 70 Brits have reportedly been arrested in the UAE after filming or sharing images of Iranian attacks on the Gulf state. British tourists, expats, and cabin crew are crammed into overcrowded police cells, facing up to ten years behind bars for allegedly threatening “national security and stability” with their photos.
- The UAE targets anyone linked to missile strike images, including those who like or comment on social media posts.
- Families say detainees face sleep deprivation, denial of food, medicine, and consular access, and are pressured to sign confessions they don’t understand.
- Some detainees include investors, an airline employee, and even a multimillionaire.
Harsh Laws and Crackdowns to Protect the UAE’s Image
The Gulf nation strictly bans sharing anything that could “disturb public security,” warning that even receiving such images can result in severe penalties. Celebrities and officials alike are charged under cybercrime and national security laws, which carry hefty fines and long jail terms. The British embassy has advised expats to avoid filming sensitive sites, and phone checks are routine following Iranian strikes.
“When people are arrested for sharing a photo or video, officials will arrest anyone who that photo has been shared with – like friends or colleagues,” said Radha Stirling. “They demand to see phones and arrest those who liked or shared content.”
Families Desperate as Legal System Buckles
Local legal experts say the court system is overloaded, with many detainees held for months before charges. Some are held without proper consular access, and others have signed Arabic statements they can’t read. One British steward for budget airline FlyDubai was nabbed after sending a photo of drone damage near Dubai airport to colleagues.
David Haigh, CEO of Dubai Watch and a former Dubai prisoner, slammed the crackdown: “Dubai is obsessed with keeping its shiny image. Tourists and expats who take photos of missile strikes become the enemy. They’re arrested, vanished, threatened, and face years inside.”
Campaigners continue to demand urgent action to free innocent Brits caught up in the UAE’s harsh crackdown on social media about Iranian attacks.
