Charges dropped against British-Australian man in Dubai
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – The United Arab Emirates has dropped charges against a British-Australian dual national living in Dubai over his efforts to raise money for Afghans who fled their country’s war.
Scott Richards’ supporters say he was arrested July 28 and charged under the UAE*s cybercrime laws for urging people to donate to a charity that was not registered in the UAE. He’d posted online about the Zwan Family Charity’s efforts to provide displaced families with tarps.
Radha Stirling, a lawyer based in Britain whose advocacy group Detained in Dubai assisted in Scott Richards’ defence, confirmed the news in a statement Thursday.
The group says many residents of the UAE were previously unaware that even hitting the “like” button on Facebook in promotion of charities that are not UAE registered could risk imprisonment.
News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Join the Conversation!
Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?
You must be logged in to post a comment.
