British tourist, 60, could face PRISON in Dubai for 'filming video of Iranian missile strikes'

According to campaign group Detained in Dubai, he was taken into custody at a police station in the Bur Dubai area on Monday.

He is said to have filmed Iranian missiles at the time of his arrest, but it is unclear if the videos were even shared on social media.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has some of the strictest cybercrime laws in the world, and authorities have warned that tourists in the country could be jailed for posting about the war.

If charged, he could face up to two years in prison or a fine of up to £58,000.

Any commentary about security matters, Government policy, or the ongoing regional conflict could result be a criminal offence.

Currently, the Briton has yet to be charged, and he could be released without further action.

Authorities said it advised "against publishing or circulating rumours and information from unknown sources through social media platforms or any other technological means".

The statement concluded, saying "Be aware and informed … Information is a responsibility, and spreading rumours is a crime".

Radha Stirling, the chief executive of Detained in Dubai, said the group was assisting the Briton's family.

Ms Stirling told The Telegraph that despite warnings from the UAE, "a lot of people are just going to forget or get caught up in everything" and inadvertently film in the country.

"Everyone’s got their phone and their camera out. People are just being a bit negligent. They don’t understand that it’s very serious – that they could go to prison there," she added.

UAE authorities are concerned about intelligence going back to Iran and Russia and images of Dubai as a dangerous place, Ms Stirling claimed.

"They don’t want these images imprinted on people’s brains. It’s PR more than anything," she said.

The rules have led Dubai-based influencers to engage in self-censorship.

Content creators can live in the UAE on the "Creators HQ" scheme, which offers sponsor-free permits.

The UAE "golden visa" offered through the scheme is offered to "filmmakers, social media influencers, or digital storytellers".

Britons fleeing Dubai have left behind pets as they try to escape the Iran war, with vets receiving inquiries into euthanasia.

Dogs have been seen tethered to street furniture, with two shot dead in the desert between UAE and Oman.

GB News has approached the Foreign Office for comment.