The United Arab Emirates prosecutor’s office has announced the arrest of a man of “Asian nationality” for spreading a “false and offensive image” of the Emiratis, after the publication of a humorous video in which he caricatures the citizens of the wealthy state. Gulf tanker.
In this video relayed on social networks, the man appears in a white gandoura, the dress worn by most Emirati men, at a luxury car dealership, and asks to see “the most expensive” while throwing dirhams at the employees . Accompanied by two “assistants” who carry wads of cash, he refuses a red Ferrari deemed too affordable, despite its price set at 2.2 million dirhams (about 545,000 euros). In English, with a strong Emirati accent, he demands “this Mercedes, this Rolls Royce, and a Red Bull”. “Keep the change,” he said, grand prince, to a man presented as the boss of the concession.
According to the official WAM news agency, “the federal prosecutor’s office in charge of the fight against rumors and cybercrime ordered the detention of a resident of Asian nationality.” The latter is “accused of having made abusive use of the internet by publishing controversial propaganda which agitates public opinion and harms the general interest”, added the agency on Sunday. The prosecution considered that the video “insulted the Emirati society” and that the attitude of the man “ridiculed” the Emirati citizens by giving a “false and offensive image”. The prosecution also “summoned” the owner of the car dealership, said WAM.
Among the world’s top oil exporters, the Emirates are home to around 90% foreign workers, with the local minority population often seen as extremely privileged with a taste for luxury. In 2021, the authorities reinforced a law against “rumors” and “cybercrime”, targeting in particular Internet users publishing messages deemed too controversial or critical. In June, a woman was sentenced to a six-month suspended prison sentence for “challenging public opinion” by posting the video of a tense exchange with a Kuwaiti writer, formerly imprisoned in the United States for sexual assault.
According to human rights NGOs, freedom of expression is particularly restricted in this country which is very concerned about its international brand image, particularly through its famous emirate of Dubai. The authorities, for their part, say they apply the law to defend their “values” and “customs”.
