Expat released in social media case
dubai — The Dubai Police have released a South African expatriate, who was arrested for posting a video of an alleged fugitive South African businessman of Indian origin on social media, according to sources.
Two South African expatriates, who posted a video of businessman Ajay Gupta on social media were arrested on charges of invasion of privacy, said police officials. The police arrested the men and a woman earlier this month. However, JVP, the expat who posted the video accusing Gupta of having ties with former South African president Jacob Zuma, is still under police custody.
The police released the second South African suspect, after releasing female suspect earlier. Brigadier Ahmad bin Ghalaitha, director of Al Rafaa police station, told Khaleej Times that the second accused, J.T., was released on bail after he deposited his passport.
According to the officer, 39-year-old JVP was arrested after receiving a complaint from Ajay Gupta, who said that the three had breached his privacy by posting the video that went viral on social media. However, J.T. said that he was not aware of the matter that
The accused shot the video of the complainant without his permission and then posted it on social media, which is a violation of UAE cyberlaws.” Brigadier Ahmad bin Ghalaitha, director of Al Rafaa police station
JVP had the intention to post the video on social media. Brig Bin Ghalaitha also said that the woman accused, D, did not participate in the crime, but she was accompanying them.
He said that the accused shot the video of the complainant without his permission and then posted it on social media, which is a violation of UAE cyberlaws. The incident took place outside the Business Atrium Centre in Oud Metha. JVP said in his video that Ajay Gupta was living a luxurious life in Dubai and urged his government to take action against him.
Who is Ajay Gupta?
He is one of the three Gupta brothers under investigation in South Africa over accusations of corrupt links to ousted South African president Jacob Zuma. Ajay left South Africa for Dubai from Johannesburg on an Emirates flight on February 6 at 8.30pm, after being accused of having ties with Zuma. Gupta was declared ‘a fugitive’ as he failed to report to the police and is thus subject to South African extradition laws.
South Africa has extradition agreements with 14 countries, including India. However, an official at the Dubai Public Prosecution said that South Africa does actually have an agreement with the UAE for an extradition treaty, but it is not being signed into law. This means that South Africa wouldn’t be able to legally extradite Gupta from Dubai.
Brig Bin Ghalaitha suggested the two countries could cooperate in gathering evidence and exchanging information. The Gupta family were accused of using their friendship with Zuma to influence policy and amass wealth, while the family has denied any wrongdoing.