DUBAI- An Emirates (EK) flight attendant stays in custody at Al Qusais Police Station in Dubai after police traced a WhatsApp photo he shared in a private group. The image showed rising smoke from an Iranian drone strike near Dubai International Airport (DXB).
Authorities acted under strict cybercrime laws that ban sharing content seen as harmful to national security or Dubai’s reputation.
Police used electronic surveillance to identify the crew member, who works for Emirates (EK). A separate British flight attendant from flydubai (FZ) faced similar charges for sharing a video of a drone strike at DXB, but was later released and deported to the UK after support from Detained in Dubai and the British government.
Emirates Attendant Arrested in Dubai
Dubai Police deployed its Electronic and Cybercrime Department to track the shared photo. The Emirates (EK) crew member was at home in company-provided housing when he felt the building shake.
He saw smoke from a drone interception outside and took a photo, then sent it to a private WhatsApp group of colleagues. This happened before Dubai authorities issued public warnings against capturing or sharing images of drone or missile attacks.
The 2021 UAE cybercrime laws make it illegal to distribute online images that could damage national security, harm Dubai’s image, or undermine national unity.
Police identified the account holder through monitoring operations and lured the attendant to the station for arrest.
The crew member now remains in custody while his case proceeds through the emirate’s legal system, PYOK reported.
Drone Strike at Dubai International Airport
On March 7, during the early stages of the Iran conflict, a drone evaded defenses and exploded near Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport (DXB). Terminal 3 serves as the main hub for Emirates (EK).
Reports indicate the strike damaged an Emirates Airbus A380 superjumbo and a Saudia Airlines Airbus A321 jet parked nearby. Authorities released limited details but confirmed a fuel tank fire in one related incident that temporarily disrupted operations.
A video of the explosion spread online despite prior warnings. The British flydubai (FZ) flight attendant shared the video in a private group while asking coworkers if it was safe to head to the airport for duty. Dubai had already warned residents, expats, and tourists of arrests and harsh penalties for sharing such images.
Role of Detained in Dubai Organization
Radha Stirling, founder of Detained in Dubai, highlighted how police used electronic monitoring to target the Emirates (EK) attendant.
The charity supports expats facing the UAE’s legal processes. It confirmed the flydubai (FZ) attendant’s release and deportation to the UK after intervention by the charity and UK officials. The fate of the Emirates (EK) crew member remains undecided.
These cases show Dubai’s firm approach to controlling information during regional tensions. Officials aim to protect the city’s global image as a safe aviation and tourism hub while enforcing cybercrime rules.
Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.
Join us on Telegram Group for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News