UAE media figure arrested over racist comments in online video

The man has been detained by prosecutors as an investigation is carried out

Criminals are advertising "miracle cures" for the Covid-19 on the dark web. Courtesy: Getty

An Emirati media figure has been arrested over racist comments made in a video posted online.

The man - referred to only as TM - is currently being detained on the orders of the UAE Federal Public Prosecutions.

Officials said the footage was an "affront to the UAE" and sought to undermine the country's values of equality and tolerance.

Prosecutors said the recording aimed to create divisions based on ethnicity and was particularly offensive to one community living in the Emirates.

“It was found to be an affront to the UAE and its efforts to disseminate the values of tolerance, besides violating the UAE’s foundational principles of justice and equality,” said the prosecutors office in a statement carried by state news agency, Wam.

A spokesperson for the Federal Public Prosecution said that the incident remained under investigation.

Residents were warned to adhere to the UAE's laws and values when using social media.

The spokesman asked people not to sow seeds of division among people in the name of ethnicity, religion, language or gender.

"These are our fundamentals and no infringement on them will be tolerated," he said.

A hefty fine of between Dh500,000 and Dh1 million can be imposed on anyone who owns or runs a website or publishes information online with the aim to incite hatred, according to the latest UAE Cybercrimes Law amendment issued in 2018.