Nineteen Indians are among 35 people ordered arrested in the United Arab Emirates for allegedly posting misleading and fabricated videos on social media amid heightened regional tensions linked to the West Asia conflict, state news agency WAM reported on Sunday.
Authorities said 10 individuals, including two Indians, were ordered detained on Saturday, while arrest orders for the remaining 25, including 17 Indians, were issued on Sunday. All suspects have been referred for expedited trial proceedings.
UAE Attorney General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi said the action followed intensified monitoring of online platforms aimed at curbing the spread of false and manipulated content that could incite unrest.
Publishing such material, whether authentic or fabricated, could harm public security, create confusion and be exploited by hostile media to distort facts and undermine trust in authorities, he said in a statement.
Regional tensions escalated after Israel and the United States launched joint military action against Iran on February 28. Iran retaliated with strikes on Israel, U.S. military bases and targets across the Gulf region, including attacks involving missiles and drones.
Iran has launched more than 1,800 missiles and drones towards the UAE during the conflict, disrupting travel in the regional business hub despite air defences intercepting most of the projectiles, according to Reuters.