Up to 70 British nationals have been detained across the United Arab Emirates after taking photos or videos of drone and missile strikes linked to the Iran conflict, it has emerged.
Tourists, expatriates and even airline cabin crew have reportedly been held in overcrowded police cells and prisons, with some alleging they were denied sleep, food and essential medication. The arrests stem from strict cybercrime and national security laws that criminalise capturing or sharing images deemed to threaten “public security and stability.”
Under the UAE’s sweeping regulations, even passively receiving such images can be treated as an offence—punishable by up to ten years in prison or fines reaching £200,000.
The scale of the crackdown has been revealed by UK-based campaign groups working alongside Emirati legal representatives. According to human rights organisation Dubai Watch, the legal system is now overwhelmed, leaving many detainees languishing for months before formal charges are brought.
While some Britons have been granted bail, their passports have been confiscated, effectively trapping them in the country. Campaigners warn that expatriates risk losing their jobs and becoming homeless if their visas expire during prolonged legal proceedings.
David Haigh, founder of Dubai Watch, said local lawyers estimate at least 35 Britons are being held in Dubai, with a similar number detained in neighbouring Abu Dhabi.
Disturbing claims have also emerged that detainees were pressured into signing statements written in Arabic that they did not understand. Access to British consular officials is said to be limited or, in some cases, completely denied. Officials believe only a handful of detainees are currently receiving consular assistance.
Radha Stirling, head of the Detained in Dubai group, described the situation as a “serious failure of protection,” alleging that British citizens are being held in harsh conditions and coerced into confessions without legal representation.
“These are not criminals,” she said. “They are ordinary tourists, workers and residents who acted without malicious intent. Immediate diplomatic intervention is required.”
Among those detained is a London-based flight attendant working for FlyDubai, who was arrested after photographing damage from an Iranian drone that crashed near Dubai airport on March 7. The image, reportedly shared with colleagues to check safety conditions, led to his arrest after authorities examined his phone.
A British lawyer living in Dubai has also been detained, along with a 60-year-old tourist who faces up to two years in prison and a £40,000 fine after footage of Iranian missile activity was discovered on his device—even though he had deleted it.
Authorities have reportedly taken an aggressive approach, including sending warning text messages in Arabic and English following Iranian strikes. These messages caution that photographing or sharing images of sensitive sites—or spreading unverified information—may result in legal action.
Police are also said to conduct spot checks, demanding access to mobile phones. Individuals found with relevant images—or even those who received them via apps such as WhatsApp—can be tracked and arrested.
Mr Haigh, who claims he was previously tortured in a Dubai jail, accused the authorities of prioritising image over justice.
“Dubai is a global brand desperate to maintain its façade,” he said. “Anyone who captures the reality of a missile strike becomes a threat. They are arrested, silenced and made an example of.”
Before the escalation of tensions with Iran, more than 240,000 Britons were living in Dubai. It is estimated that around half have since returned to the UK amid growing regional instability.
In response, the Emirati embassy in London said individuals had been clearly warned against sharing images from “incident sites,” arguing that such material could incite panic or misrepresent the country’s stability.
The UK Foreign Office confirmed it is supporting several detained British nationals and has called for full consular access, stating that the British Ambassador continues to raise the issue with UAE authorities.
English (United States) ·