Emirati man arrested for showing sympathy with Qatar

Emirati man arrested for showing sympathy with Qatar

An Emirati man was arrested on 5th July 2017 for exercising his right of freedom of speech after criticising UAE authorities and showing sympathy with Qatar on social media.

Ghanem Abdullah Mattar was detained shortly after posting a video on his twitter account urging Emirati citizens to show respect to their "Qatari brothers especially during this difficult time" in reference to the Saudi-led blockade of Qatar.

According to local activists, the UAE security forces stormed his family house at night and arrested him.

His arrest comes after the UAE criminalised any expression of sympathy towards Qatar. Anyone found guilty can be jailed up to 15 years and fined up to $13,500.

As his whereabout remains unknown, Mattar's arrest prompted outrage on social media.

 

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