Emirati arrested on charges of sedition

DUBAI // The general manager of the Ras Al Khaimah Holy Quran Foundation has been arrested for sedition, the state news agency Wam reported.

Saleh Al Dhufairi was arrested for “promoting ideas, whether in speech, writing or any other means, that cause sedition and harm national unity and social peace”, according to Wam, and confirmed by the Dubai Police chief Lt Gen Dahi Khalfan al Tamim.

Wam added that Mr Al Dhufairi would be referred to the public prosecution and that the charges were punishable under the Federal Penal Code.

Mr Al Dhafairi’s son, Hasan, said his father was arrested by Dubai police at his house in Ras Al Khaimah, on Monday night and taken to Dubai for questioning.

Security men then returned to the family home yesterday afternoon, he said, to search the house and seize Mr Al Dhufairi’s laptops.

wissa@thenational.ae