A woman travelling with her husband and children was briefly detained at a UAE airport and transferred to Ajman after authorities discovered she was wanted in connection with a legal complaint stemming from an Instagram comment, an Ajman Police official said.
Lieutenant Colonel Dr Mohammed bin Hazim Al Suwaidi, Deputy Director of the Strategy and Performance Development Department at Ajman Police, said the incident underscores the legal consequences of social media activity under the UAE’s cybercrime laws.
According to Al Suwaidi, the woman was stopped during arrival procedures when immigration authorities flagged an outstanding complaint filed against her in Ajman.
“They asked her to step aside. The husband was shocked, the children were confused and nervous,” he said.
She was informed of the case and transferred to Ajman, while her family was allowed to continue their journey. She reportedly spent one night in custody before being moved as part of legal procedures.
The complaint originated from an Instagram comment in which the woman allegedly described another user’s luxury handbag as “fake,” prompting online ridicule of the bag’s owner. The affected individual later filed a formal complaint, citing reputational harm and alleged online harassment.
Authorities said the two parties were eventually reconciled amicably, leading to the withdrawal of the complaint and closure of the case.
Al Suwaidi warned that many social media users underestimate the legal implications of online comments.
“Some people may think an Instagram comment is something simple, but it can create unnecessary legal problems,” he said.
He noted that under the UAE’s Cybercrime and Anti-Rumours Law, such cases could carry penalties including imprisonment and fines ranging from Dh250,000 to Dh500,000 if reconciliation had not been reached.
The case also highlights the UAE’s stricter enforcement of online conduct laws, which cover defamation, harassment, and the spread of harmful digital content.
Separately, Ajman Police has introduced a “remote bail” system under the UAE’s Zero Bureaucracy initiative, allowing electronic bail processing for certain misdemeanor cases using the UAE Pass digital identity system.
Officials said the system aims to reduce detention time and simplify legal procedures, though serious offences remain excluded and cases may still proceed to prosecution if no settlement is reached.
