Man on trial for posting blasphemous content online in Dubai

Photo for illustrative purposes only.

Dubai - He denied the charges claiming that he was unaware of the post's content and meaning

Published: Thu 16 Nov 2017, 2:30 PM

Updated: Thu 16 Nov 2017, 5:10 PM

By
Marie Nammour

A 34-year-old Indian man has gone on trial in the Court of First Instance on the charge of disrespecting Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) on Facebook.
He denied the charge of religion contempt via internet. He claimed that he was unaware of the post's content and meaning.
The case dates back to September 30. It was reported to the Bur Dubai police station by an Indian man who happened to see the defendant's account.
"I heard from work colleagues that the defendant had posted a caricature on Facebook. My friend then took a screenshot of it and showed it to me," the man who reported the incident to police, said. "He also posted a disrespectful line next to the photo."

A policeman said he went with the complainant to the workplace of the accused in the Business Bay area where the accused was arrested and his mobile phone seized. He then handed it over to the lieutenant in charge on that day.
The defendant admitted during investigation that he posted the photo. But he claimed he received it from a friend and shared it on his account without being aware of its insulting content.
A photo copy of the said caricature was enclosed by the public prosecution to the case file.

The court adjourned the trial to November 27.
mary@khaleejtimes.com