In the UAE, an American was arrested for writing to Facebook

An American has been arrested in the United Arab Emirates for a Facebook post he made while in the United States.

Helicopter technician Ryan Pate poured his heart out on Facebook after a dispute with his employer Global Aerospace Logistics over his sick leave.

After returning from Florida to Abu Dhabi, he was arrested for violating the country's rigorous online libel law.

His trial will begin on 17 March. If you plead guilty to Ryan Pat, they face up to five years in prison and a huge fine.

Disagreements between the American and his employer began last year when Pate asked to extend his leave in order to see a doctor for a back injury. Without receiving permission, he made an angry post about the company on his Facebook page.

He called the company treacherous and warned other contractors about the dangers of working for the firm. He also spoke unflatteringly about the living conditions in the UAE and used a racist expression in relation to local residents.

I came to quit

Ryan Pate arrived in Abu Dhabi to resign but was summoned to a police station shortly after arriving. There he was shown screenshots of his Facebook post and told that the employer had filed a lawsuit in accordance with the United Arab Republic law, which provides for criminal prosecution for libel and bullying on the Internet.

A law prohibiting ridicule or ridicule of organizations and residents of the country was passed at the end of 2012.

In the culture of this country, reputation is of paramount importance, and the law is designed to strictly protect it.

“It never even crossed my mind that I could end up in prison here for a Facebook post I made in the US,” Pate said.

His employer has not yet commented on this situation.

American congressman David Jolly, who contacted the US Department of State and the Attorney General of the United Arab Emirates and joined them in asking for their help in ending the criminal case, joined Pat’s case.