Arresting tourist for taking photo in Dubai

dubaiIn the United Arab Emirates one can be arrested, imprisoned and deported for taking photographs without the consent of those shown. While liberal compared to much of the Middle East, the Emirates has a cybercrime law and it applies not only to locals or residents, but also to tourists and other visitors.

The United Arab Emirates says it has released two young men it detained over their “selfie” in front of a New Year’s Eve hotel fire after investigators found “no evidence of criminal intent.”

The 63-story Address Downtown luxury hotel caught fire just before a fireworks display at the nearby Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building. The hotel burned through the fireworks display and into the new year.