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Emojis put Irish people behind bars in Dubai - frightening laws!
An Irishman was arrested in Dubai after carelessly using emojis in a message. After months of imprisonment, he returned to Ireland for Christmas.
Emojis put Irish people behind bars in Dubai - frightening laws!
An Irish citizen, Stuart Quiney, experienced a dramatic turn of events in the United Arab Emirates, where he was arrested for using two emojis in a message. The 39-year-old, who returned to Dubai to visit a vulnerable friend in September 2024, was immediately arrested after using emojis of a drop of blood and a ninja while writing a text to a Belgian man who had invaded his apartment. These symbols were interpreted by authorities as threatening, which got Quiney into serious trouble. According to a report by Cosmo He faced several years in prison under the UAE's strict cybercrime laws.
Quiney traveled to Dubai in January 2022 to support his friend in a new beginning. During his stay in the city, he realized that the Belgian in question had broken into his apartment and stolen personal items. After returning to Ireland, Quiney learned that his grandmother, who had dementia, had been moved to a nursing home, which caused him emotional distress. While under the influence of alcohol, he sent the now problematic emojis in a message, which ultimately led to his arrest. How Extra.ie According to reports, he spent several months in detention before a human rights organization intervened and helped him to be released.
Return to Ireland
Thanks to the efforts of Detained in Dubai, Quiney was finally able to return to Ireland on December 21, 2024. “It's amazing that I'll be home for Christmas,” Quiney said before his departure. He emphasized that the human rights organization's commitment was crucial to his success and that it was the best Christmas present he could wish for. Dubai's strict laws regarding rude or threatening messages have gotten Quiney and other tourists into trouble in the past, highlighting the dangers of misunderstanding and misinformation in a legal system often viewed as unfair and unclear.
Quiney's case is not unique; Other tourists, such as Craig Ballentine and Tori Towey, are also facing legal issues in the UAE, underscoring the risks potentially posed to travelers in that country. Human rights activists expressed concern about the possibility of misuse of the law and warned of the consequences that such strict regulations could have for careless travelers.