Coronavirus: Dubai Police post mugshots of suspected offenders online

New strategy during the Covid-19 pandemic is designed to act as a deterrent

A composite photo of three men Dubai Police said flouted laws during the coronavirus pandemic. Photos Courtesy Dubai Police

Dubai Police has publicly posted mugshots of three men suspected of committing crimes.

The force uploaded the pictures to its Twitter account, days after senior officers warned that they would start to publicly shame residents who flouted restrictions designed to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

The three suspected offenders pictured were arrested for uploading inflammatory video clips to the internet. The police did not state whether or not the videos were linked to authorities’ efforts to tackle the ongoing pandemic.

One had allegedly taunted on-duty police officers by posting an edited clip online. Another was arrested for impersonating a security guard and posting a video of the incident, while the third was detained “for mockery” after apparently “posting an edited video of a government building with wolves howling”.

All are now facing further legal action. While their pictures were posted online by the police, none of the men were named.

The move comes after Dubai residents were warned that their pictures could be circulated publicly if they did not comply with rules designed to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Those breaking the law also face significant fines.

Col Saeed Al Hajeri, director of the force's cyber crime division, said the new policy was designed to deter others from breaching restrictions on travel put in place to curb the spread of coronavirus.

Previously, the force had typically blurred the faces of suspected offenders in social media posts.

“We have seen many people who are not responsible and they don’t follow the humble requests from the government and the media to stay at home,” Col Al Hajeri said. “These reckless people are not only not following the orders they also set an example for others to follow their steps.

“That is why the leadership decided to take the next level and to publish their photos without blurring their photos in the media.

“They might not get hired for jobs because they are irresponsible.

“People think that it is a type of sense of humour to send some jokes, however this can lead to a snowball effect and let other people follow their steps and disrespect the authorities, instructions and the law enforcements.

“So the law gives us the authority to guarantee that instructions are being followed.”

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In pictures: Deserted Deira