Dubai Police arrest man for sneezing on UAE dirham notes

The Dubai Police have arrested a young man over a video that he posted on social media in which he can be seen insulting the UAE's national currency. In the viral video, the suspect can be seen pretend-sneezing and using a currency note to clean himself. 

He has been referred to the authority concerned for further action, the police said.

The police said that the cybercrime law specifies a maximum fine of Dh1 million and a prison term for insulting the country or its symbols.

The police also posted the suspect's photo on their social media channels without blurring his face. 

As Khaleej Times reported in April, the police had earlier announced that they would post photos of those found mocking the country's precautionary measures against the spread of Covid-19.

"We refrained from posting the photos (of those caught mocking the country, respecting their privacy and future," Colonel Saeed Al Hajeri from the Dubai Police had said then. "With us posting their photos, they won't get hired for jobs because they are irresponsible, and their actions will have future social implications as well."

#DubaiPolice has arrested a young man for publishing a video on social media insulting the national currency. The man has been referred to the concerned authority for legal action. pic.twitter.com/BGNGCuzudI

- Dubai Police???? ??? (@DubaiPoliceHQ) May 17, 2020

#DubaiPolice has arrested a young man for publishing a video on social media insulting the national currency. The man has been referred to the concerned authority for legal action. pic.twitter.com/BGNGCuzudI

- Dubai Police???? ??? (@DubaiPoliceHQ) May 17, 2020