Australians stranded in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are being warned to avoid sharing unverified war footage on social media, or risk a $77,700 fine.
The UAE Public Prosecution has urged citizens, residents and visitors to refrain from ‘publishing or circulating rumours’ due to the ‘spread of confusion and harm to the security and stability of society’.
‘Any person who shares or reposts content from unknown sources shall be subject to legal accountability in accordance with the applicable legislation, even if they are not the original creator of such content,’ it said in a statement on Sunday.
‘Be aware and informed. Information is a responsibility, and spreading rumours is a crime.’
Any Australians caught reposting unverified footage in the UAE could face a $77,700 fine and even jail time under the country’s strict public order laws.
Three people in Bahrain have already been detained for filming and broadcasting live content that ‘could harm security and public order’, reports Gulf News.
It comes just days after the region was attacked by Iranian missiles and drones, as part of the country’s retaliatory strikes following the United States and Israel-led incursion on February 28.
Footage has been shared across social media of the UAE’s air defence systems working to intercept the missiles in the sky, resulting in debris landing in some of Abu Dhabi and Dubai’s most exclusive neighbourhoods.
Australians stuck in the UAE have been warned against sharing unverified war footage online (stock image)
Footage has been shared across social media of the Iranian missiles and drones hitting iconic landmarks in Dubai, such as The Palm archipelago
The Fairmont the Palm hotel, located in the luxurious Palm Jumeirah was hit by a rogue drone on Saturday, which local authorities have confirmed led to a fire that injured four people.
Dubai’s sail-shaped Burj Al Arab hotel has been hit by shrapnel, with holidaymakers also reporting seeing debris falling into the hotel pool of the iconic Atlantis hotel.
A terminal at Dubai International Airport was also hit on Sunday.
Australian Olympics great Stephanie Rice, who now lives in Dubai, made an emotional plea on Monday following news of the attacks.
‘Please help me in praying for all my friends, loved ones and people in the UAE that they would be protected and feel a tangible sense of God peace in this scary situation,’ Rice wrote on her Instagram post.
The post also featured a statement from the Australian embassy in the United Arab Emirates.
‘A message to all Australians in the United Arab Emirates: The UAE Government has confirmed that the UAE has been the subject of missile attacks from Iran,’ it read.
‘In a statement, the UAE Ministry of Defence said it was responding to the threat, and has successfully intercepted a number of incoming missiles.’
The Albanese Government confirmed on Monday that around 115,000 Australians remain stuck in the Middle East.
