Two detained for fabricating rumour on '5 Covid deaths in a family' in UAE

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Two detained, fabricating, rumour, 5 Covid deaths, family in UAE,

Dubai - The public prosecution said the family does not exist.

Dhanusha Gokulan

Published: Tue 25 Aug 2020, 9:00 PM

Last updated: Wed 26 Aug 2020, 11:51 AM

Two individuals have been detained over the fabricated report about "five member of an Emirati family who purportedly died of Covid-19". It was aired on a UAE television channel.

The Public Prosecution: This incident has affected members of the Emirati community, citizens and residents, leaving them in a state of confusion and fear around the outbreak of the disease, all based on inaccurate information.#CommitToWin
- NCEMA UAE (@NCEMAUAE) August 25, 2020

During the briefing on Tuesday, the public prosecution said the family does not exist.

The Public Prosecution office immediately & expeditiously launched an investigation around the incident and is still conducting in-depth investigations to determine the legal responsibility and the perpetrators and to determine the facts that are likely to be behind the incident.
- NCEMA UAE (@NCEMAUAE) August 25, 2020

"The incident that was broadcast on Abu Dhabi Sports Channel is false and fabricated. The family does not exist and the story is completely fictitious and made up," said Saif Al Dhaheri, the official spokesperson of the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA).
Authorities immediately launched an investigation and necessary measures were taken in less than 48 hours, he added.

The Public Prosecution: The incident that was broadcast on Abu Dhabi Sports Channel is false and fabricated, the family does not exist and the story is completely fictitious made up by the first accused individual.#CommitToWin
- NCEMA UAE (@NCEMAUAE) August 25, 2020

Counsellor Salem Al Zaabi, acting head of the Emergency Crisis and Disaster Prosecution, said: "The Public Prosecution will not tolerate anyone who carries out his or her duties in the media in an irresponsible manner and it will apply the law firmly and decisively."

The Public Prosecution: The Public Prosecutor has ordered the preventive detention of the aforementioned individuals pending investigation, in order to ensure the integrity of the investigation procedures that the Public Prosecution undertakes.#CommitToWin
- NCEMA UAE (@NCEMAUAE) August 25, 2020

The second defendant, the channel's correspondent, did not verify the information's authenticity with the authorities, Al Zaabi said. "He contradicted what was dictated by his professional work duties."

Updates from the #UAE Government media briefing today.#?????_?????? #committowin pic.twitter.com/bAVdvXyLTG
- NCEMA UAE (@NCEMAUAE) August 25, 2020

The public prosecutor ordered the immediate preventive detention of the defendants, pending investigation.
Al Dhaheri warned that all those who fail to follow the laws in disseminating and sharing Covid-19 information in the media and on social networking sites will be held accountable.
dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com