UAE orders arrest of 35 people, including 19 Indians, over AI-generated war videos

The United Arab Emirates has ordered the arrest of 35 individuals, including 19 Indians, for allegedly publishing misleading and fabricated videos related to the ongoing Israel-US-Iran conflict on social media. Authorities said the accused shared clips of missiles and drones and circulated AI-generated content that created panic during a period of rising regional tension, according to a report by the UAE’s official news agency WAM. The suspects have been referred for an expedited trial.

The action comes as Iran’s strikes keep key UAE cities such as Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi within potential target range. Officials said authorities have intensified monitoring of digital platforms to control the spread of fabricated information and artificial content during the conflict.

According to Attorney-General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, investigators found that the accused operated in three groups and carried out different types of activities online.


“Investigations and electronic monitoring revealed that the defendants were divided into three groups that committed various acts. These included the publication of real clips related to current events, the fabrication of clips using AI, and the promotion of a state practising acts of military aggression while glorifying its leadership and military actions,” he said.

The first group consisted of 10 people who allegedly published real videos showing missiles passing through the UAE’s airspace or being intercepted. Authorities said they also filmed crowds watching these events and added commentary and sound effects that suggested active attacks. Officials warned that such videos could increase public anxiety and reveal information about the country’s defence systems. The group includes five Indians, one Pakistani, one Nepali, two Filipinos and one Egyptian.

The second group shared fabricated visuals created using artificial intelligence or reused footage from incidents outside the UAE while claiming they occurred inside the country. These clips showed explosions and missile strikes and included flags or dates to make the content appear credible. The group includes seven individuals, five Indians, one Nepali and one Bangladeshi.

The third group consisted of six people accused of sharing posts praising a hostile state and its political and military leadership. Authorities said the content portrayed that country’s military actions in the region as achievements and promoted propaganda narratives that could harm national interests. Five of the accused in this group are Indians and one is Pakistani.

Officials also charged two other individuals, both Indians, in connection with similar offences.

Earlier, the UAE public prosecution had begun questioning 10 suspects and ordered them to remain in custody while investigations continue.

Shamsi said the accused could face imprisonment of at least one year and a fine of not less than AED 100,000 under UAE law.

“Such events have been exploited to disseminate misinformation intended to deliberately mislead the public while undermining national security, order and stability,” he said.

Authorities added that some of the accused circulated AI-generated clips showing explosions, attacks on major landmarks and large fires across parts of the UAE. Other videos falsely suggested threats to security or claimed that military facilities in the country had been destroyed.

“The incidents also involved exploiting children’s emotions in videos falsely implying security threats. Other clips claimed the destruction of military facilities within the country or attributed foreign incidents to locations in the UAE, with the aim of misleading public opinion and spreading anxiety,” Shamsi said.