Case dropped against Dubai resident detained for “illegally” promoting charity

UAE prosecutors have dropped a case against a man detained for the crime of promoting a charity that is not registered in the country.

Australian-British national Scott Richards was arrested at his home in Dubai on July 28 after promoting a charity campaign on his social media accounts relating to a refugee camp on the outskirts of Kabul, Afghanistan.

He was released on bail last month and will face no further action, according to Dubai Public Prosecution, which said no criminal case will proceed.

Richard’s representative Radha Stirling confirmed last month that he was volunteering with Camp Qambar to coordinate the logistics of distributing UN-standard tarpaulins.

Read: Dubai resident detained for ‘illegally’ promoting charity released on bail

Richards also promoted ‘The Keep Qambar Camp Warm’ campaign run by the US-registered Zwan Family Charity on social media, according to Stirling.

Officials believe he raised about $500 through these activities, according to reports.

It is against the law to promote non-UAE registered charities in the country.

The decree no (9) of 2015 was issued to regulate fundraising and charitable donations in Dubai. It prohibits collecting donations or advertising fundraising campaigns without obtaining written approval from the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department.

Officials warned last year that violators could face a prison term of between two months to one year and fines ranging from Dhs5,000 to Dhs100,000 depending on the court’s ruling.