At least five British people are being detained in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on charges relating to taking pictures of missiles and drones, Whitehall sources said.
A campaign group this weekend claimed that more than 70 Britons have beenarrested over photographs and filmsof Iranian attacks in the gulf state since war broke out.
Tourists and expats in citiessuch as Dubaiwere quick to start filming and taking pictures whenIran began firing missilesand drones at the UAE when the Middle East conflict began at the end of February.
The state's authorities, however, clamped down on the practice andwarned residentsand holidaymakers that they could face prison for posting such material.
Since then rules have become even more strict, with police now arresting some bystanders in targeted areas for having photographs of missiles on their phone – even if they have not been posted online.
Even receiving an image could be deemed illegal under the gulf state's strictest laws – and carry a sentence of 10 years in prison or fines of up to £200,000.
Dubai Watch, a campaign group, is representing eight Britons who have beenarrested under the laws, which UAE authorities say are enforced to protect "national security and stability".
David Haigh, its founder, said trusted local lawyers had told him at least 35 Britons had been detained in Dubai along with a similar number in Abu Dhabi, the UAE capital.
While some Britons may have been released from detention, it is also possible that some holidaymakers or expats might not have informed the Foreign Office of their arrest.
Some detainees – who include a cabin crew member – have been held in overcrowded police cells as a result of these arrests and in some cases, reportedly denied sleep, food and medicine.
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Mr Haigh, who was detained in Dubai himself for 23 months a decade ago, said the situation had "definitely got worse".
"Before it was just warnings online and now they are arresting people and actually putting them in jail," he said.
Mr Haigh said he had heard of one case where a woman had been locked up and was facing the UAE's federal court over taking a photograph she never published.
"Police are now at these sites and asking to go through people's phones," he added.
"Even a picture – not even sent it or shared it anywhere – they are taking you in for questioning."
The Telegraph previously revealed the arrest of a 60-year-old British tourist who was arrested after allegedly filming missiles.
The London-based holidaymaker was later charged along with 20 other people under the Gulf state's cybercrime laws – despite the man deleting the video from his phone immediately when asked and telling police he had no intention of doing anything wrong.
Radha Stirling, chief executive of Detained in Dubai, the group supporting the tourist, said at the time: "The charges sound extremely vague but serious on paper. In reality, the alleged conduct could be something as simple as sharing or commenting on a video that is already circulating online.
"Under UAE cybercrime laws, the person who originally posts content can be charged, but so can anyone who reshapes, reposts or comments on it. One video can quickly lead to dozens of people facing criminal charges."
A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We are providing consular assistance to a small number of British nationals detained in the UAE in connection with this issue, and our ambassador is engaging with the Emirati authorities about their cases."
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