Police deny social media rumours of rape in Dubai Mall

Authorities warn of strict action for spreading false rumours on social media

by Staff writer

July 27, 2016

Dubai Police has strongly denied rumours on social media that an Indian man raped 90 girls in Dubai Mall and also urged people to avoid spreading inaccurate information.

Taking to Twitter, Dubai Police warned that it would take strict legal action against anyone who spreads such rumours.

It also urged the public to only obtain information from official sources and not trust any rumours that they read on social media.

Police reiterated that the UAE was a “safe place” for citizens, residents and visitors and that “competent organisations” would deal with all the issues pertaining to security.

The UAE and all the other Gulf states have very strict laws governing the use of social media in the country.

Also read: UAE officials warn of jail, fines for social media rumours – report

Last week, the UAE’s Ministry of Interior has warned people against posting photographs or video clippings of traffic accidents on social media.

In a statement, the ministry said the circulation of such images or videos “is deemed irresponsible behaviour and shows the lack of a positive spirit among the citizenry. It is also a violation of the law.”

Recently, it was also reported that ‘invading the privacy of, defaming or harming others’ on social media can carry a one-year prison sentence and a fine of up to SAR 500,000 ($133,324) in Saudi Arabia.

Earlier this year, a Gulf national was sentenced to three years in prison and fined Dhs 50,000 by the UAE Federal Supreme Court after he was found guilty of insulting the country on WhatsApp.

He was charged with “disseminating information with a view to ridicule and damage the reputation of the state symbols”.

In March, it was reported that an Asian man in the UAE also faced deportation after a court in the country found him guilty of ‘insulting his friend’ on messaging service WhatsApp.

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