Police in Dubai have arrested an man for allegedly spreading fake news about the coronavirus.
eCrime department officers said the young Asian edited and posted video footage that “spread fear among community members”.
No further details were revealed, but the arrest came after the government denied a series of rumours spread online.
This included footage shared on social media of a man splayed out on the pavement in what appeared to be Dubai's old town.
Dubai Media Office, the government's press office, said he had an epileptic fit and was not struck down by the virus, as had been claimed.
“Dubai Police warns that spreading rumours is a serious offence that will be severely penalised as per Article 198 of the federal law concerning information technology,” a spokesman said in a statement on Facebook.
Any person who intentionally disseminates false or malicious news, statements, rumours or disruptive propaganda to spread fear among people or to inflict damage to the public interest, shall be punished, it states.
Last week, the government said a statement spread on social media that every phone conversation, WhatsApp message and private social media post would be monitored was false and had been mocked-up to spread panic.
Police encouraged the public to share rumours and suspicious information on its Police Eye platform or E-crime.ae to allow officers to investigate.
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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Canada
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The specs
Engine: 2-litre 4-cylinder and 3.6-litre 6-cylinder
Power: 220 and 280 horsepower
Torque: 350 and 360Nm
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Price: from Dh136,521 VAT and Dh166,464 VAT
On sale: now
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
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If you go
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Funchal via Lisbon, with a connecting flight with Air Portugal. Economy class returns cost from Dh3,845 return including taxes.
The trip
The WalkMe app can be downloaded from the usual sources. If you don’t fancy doing the trip yourself, then Explore offers an eight-day levada trails tour from Dh3,050, not including flights.
The hotel
There isn’t another hotel anywhere in Madeira that matches the history and luxury of the Belmond Reid's Palace in Funchal. Doubles from Dh1,400 per night including taxes.
