UAE threatens Qatari sympathizers with jail terms up to 15yrs after diplomatic rift

UAE subjects may be punished by a jail term of up to 15 years for expressing sympathies for Qatar, the Emirati Attorney General warned after key Arab states cut ties with Doha. Even tweeting criticism against the UAE’s anti-Qatar stance may be punished.

“Strict and firm action will be taken against anyone who shows sympathy or any form of bias towards Qatar, or against anyone who objects to the position of the United Arab Emirates, whether it be through the means of social media, or any type of written, visual or verbal form,” Counselor Dr. Hamad Saif Al Shamsi told Arab media on Wednesday, the Gulf News reported.