Emirati historian cleared of hate speech

dubai — A historian has had his acquittal verdict on the charge of inciting hatred and discrimination upheld by the Dubai Court of Appeals. Public prosecution records show the 49-year-old Emirati researcher had written a letter to a religious charity entity with content that could provoke discrimination and prompt hate speech.

He was earlier cleared by the

(The accused) incited people of his community to form an opposition front against the entity.”

Emirati advocacy office owner

Court of First Instance. The case dates back to May 25 last year in Al Rafaa. An Emirati advocacy and legal consultancy office owner said: “The accused presented a 25-page letter to the religious entity (the plaintiff). It was written and signed in the name of the defendant. He later posted it on social media. In that memo, he incited people of his community to form an opposition against the entity and raised a political subject pertaining to regional affairs and sectarian disputes.”

During questioning, the defendant claimed he approached the plaintiff with an idea to hold a festival during Ramadan, for his community to get together with other Emiratis. “I am a historian and a social activist. It was a three-page proposal. But few days later, a director from their side came to meet me and said he would complain against me to the state security, have my citizenship revoked and get me deported. I later approached a higher official at the same foundation with a 27-page letter calling for holding an open day for discussion,” the accused told the prosecution investigators.