UAE orders arrest of 25 for publishing misleading online content
Monitoring of digital platforms uncovers coordinated groups spreading false narratives
ABU DHABI – The UAE Public Prosecution has ordered the arrest of 25 individuals of various nationalities accused of publishing misleading content on digital platforms that harms national defence measures and glorifies acts of military aggression against the State.
The order was issued by Attorney-General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, who directed that the suspects be referred for an expedited trial. Authorities said the arrests followed intensive monitoring of online platforms aimed at countering fabricated information and manipulated media designed to incite public anxiety and disrupt social stability.
Investigations revealed that the defendants were operating in three separate groups, each responsible for producing and circulating different forms of misleading or harmful digital content.
First group
According to prosecutors, the first group shared authentic video clips documenting the passage and interception of missile attacks in the country’s airspace, as well as footage showing the aftermath of such incidents.
Authorities said the individuals also filmed gatherings of people observing these events and added commentary and sound effects suggesting ongoing attacks. Officials warned that circulating such material could expose sensitive defensive capabilities and allow hostile accounts to manipulate the narrative around security incidents.
The Public Prosecution noted that spreading such content risks fuelling unnecessary panic among the public while enabling external actors to amplify misleading interpretations of real events.
AI fabrications
The second group allegedly published fabricated visual material generated through artificial intelligence or repurposed footage from incidents outside the UAE while falsely claiming they had occurred within the country.
Prosecutors said some of these videos depicted explosions or missile attacks and were edited to include national flags or specific dates in an attempt to lend credibility to the false claims.
Officials stated that such techniques were designed to deceive audiences online and give the impression of ongoing incidents inside the country, despite the footage being entirely fabricated or taken from unrelated events elsewhere.
Propaganda posts
The third group is accused of promoting and glorifying a state engaged in military aggression, including praising its political and military leadership and circulating propaganda portraying its regional military operations as achievements.
Authorities said the posts supported hostile media narratives and undermined the country’s national interests during a period of heightened regional tension.
The Public Prosecution has begun formal investigations into the charges and ordered preventive detention for the suspects pending further inquiries.
Attorney-General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi stressed that exploiting cyberspace to disseminate misleading information or fabricated footage that harms public security or compromises defence capabilities constitutes a criminal offence.
He added that such actions are particularly serious given the security challenges facing the country and warned that those responsible will face firm legal action.
Officials confirmed that any individual proven to be involved will be referred to the judiciary to face the penalties prescribed under the law for disseminating deceptive or exaggerated information that threatens national security and public stability.