UAE: 19 Indians among 35 arrested for posting misleading content about regional war
Babushahi Network
Dubai, March 16, 2026: 35 persons including 19 Indians have been arrested in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for posting misleading content on social media about ongoing regional war.
According to a report of NDTV, The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has ordered the arrest of 35 individuals, including 19 Indians, for posting videos on social media that contained misleading or fabricated content amid the Middle East war that began late last month after US-Israeli forces launched airstrikes on Iran. Authorities in the UAE said the suspects will face an expedited trial after a probe revealed they used digital platforms to circulate manipulated footage and narratives linked to ongoing regional tensions.
Report said that the action came in two parts. The latest list includes 25 individuals of various nationalities, including 17 Indians, listed under different sections. It was separate from the 10 people, including two Indians, who were named and ordered to be arrested on Saturday.
Report quoted a statement from the UAE's attorney-general, Dr Hamad Saif Al Shams who said the move follows rigorous monitoring of digital platforms to combat the spread of fabricated information and artificial content intended to incite public disorder and undermine general stability.
Report also cited UAE's official news agency, Wam and said that investigations and electronic monitoring revealed that the defendants were divided into three groups that committed various acts. These included the publication of real clips related to current events, the fabrication of clips using AI, and the promotion of a state practising acts of military aggression while glorifying its leadership and military actions.
The first group of 10 accused -- comprising five Indians, one Pakistani, one Nepali, two Filipinos, and one Egyptian -- published and circulated authentic video clips documenting the passage and interception of missiles in the country's airspace or the resulting impact. They also filmed gatherings of individuals monitoring these events, appending commentary and sound effects suggesting active aggressions to incite public anxiety and panic.