Facebook user imprisoned in Dubai over fund-raising post

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Facebook enables people to connect freely with one another, but unfortunately for a British man, the famed social networking site landed him behind bars.

Scott Richards spent more than three weeks inside a Dubai police cell after posting a link on his Facebook page of an online campaign aiming to raise money for refugees in Afghanistan.

The 42-year-old economic development adviser, who holds British and Australian citizenships, was locked up at Al Murraqabat Police Station after publicly promoting the efforts of a US-run charity, a BBC report confirmed.

The expatriate was eventually charged with fund-raising without permission and spent 22 days in custody, following his arrest on July 28.

Richards, who has been living and working in the United Arab Emirates with his wife and two children, was reportedly oblivious to what he has done, and did not mean any harm when he shared a link to a GoFundme page by the Zwan Family Charity that aims to provide tarpaulins, blankets, warm clothes and sleeping bags for the refugees.

Under the new laws of the government of Dubai, it is illegal to advertise fund-raising campaigns in Dubai without written approval from the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department.

Meanwhile, the jailed immigrant’s mother, Penelope Haberfield, had told BBC that Richard’s sudden arrest caused extreme stress to their family. “His wife can only take the clothes to him once a week. She takes him money so that he can buy water and extra food,” the anxious mom was quoted as saying in the report.

“She’s worried for him, she’s worried for herself because if she runs out of money, will she have to leave the country? She’s frightened for her children,” she had added.

The grieving mother had said the constant changing of laws in the country was very confusing, especially since the UAE government doesn’t make the proper effort to inform expatriates.

“In a case like this where it’s so obviously unjust we are hoping for diplomatic intervention which the Australian government has done in the past,” Haberfield had said.

A spokeswoman for the charity, meanwhile, released a statement regarding Richards’ apprehension. “Zwan Family Charity has been blessed with supporters and donors all over the world and we urge each of them to please learn the charity laws of your government before you publicly support us,” she told the BBC.  Khristian Ibarrola