Dubai man faces blasphemy accusations for mocking Christianity
A security officer at a five-star hotel in Dubai has been tried for alleged blasphemy and acting indecently in public when he reportedly insulted Christianity last year.
After a Christmas party at the five-star hotel in Dubai, the security officer allegedly made mocking statements pertaining to Christianity. His comments were recorded in a video which went viral on social media, according to Gulf Business.
The incident gained the attention of authorities when the Emirati security officer went to the Bur Dubai police station on Dec. 29 and reported that the video has been circulating online. He claimed that his Egyptian colleague recorded the clip without his consent and posted it on social media, the Khaleej Times reports.
During the trial at the Dubai Criminal Court, a policeman who interrogated the Emirati relayed what the defendant told him. The officer said the defendant felt embarrassed after the clip went viral on social media.
"He told us that after the Christmas party was over, he was just having fun and stood behind the microphone saying, 'Merry Christmas and wishing you the best,' before he said, 'You are all doomed to hell, and evil is such a destination,'" the policeman told the court. "He then pointed at his private parts in a gesture of degradation."
The Emirati defendant, however, has denied the accusations against him.
Meanwhile, two other individuals also face accusations related to the viral video of the Emirati insulting Christianity. His Egyptian colleague is accused of violating his privacy by circulating the video on WhatsApp. A Sudanese suspect is also set to face trial for forwarding the video to other people without the Emirati's consent.
Both the Egyptian and Sudanese suspects have pleaded not guilty to the charges, the report adds.
The United Arab Emirates strictly implements rules on social media usage. Recently, many people have stood trial for violating the said rules.
The next hearing is set to take place on Mar. 27.