A man who posted an inflammatory Facebook message has been arrested in the United Arab Emirates. Expat American Ryan Pate published the post whilst in Florida. The helicopter mechanic was arguing with his employer Global Aerospace Logistics (Gal) about sick leave. When he returned to Abu Dhabi, Pate was arrested for violating the country’s tough cyber-slander laws. He will go on trial on 17th March and may be faced with a five-year jail sentence and a large fine.
Mr Pate posted his rant after he was not permitted to extend his sick leave to consult a doctor about a lengthy back injury. He branded the company “backstabbers”, complained about life in the country and used an offensive racist term to refer to the country’s people. He also warned other contractors not to work for the company.
He had planned to resign on returning to Abu Dhabi but was told to report to a local police station where he was shown screenshots of his message. He was informed that his employer had taken legal action against him and accused him of breaking Emirates anti-slander laws. The laws, introduced in 2012, prevent people from using the net to mock organizations and individuals.
Mr. Pate said: “I never even entertained the fact that I would wind up in prison out here for something I put on Facebook in the United States”.