Rahat Fateh Ali Khan arrested in Dubai

DUBAI: Prominent singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan has been arrested in Dubai over a complaint of defamation, according to Dubai police sources.

The singer had arrived in Dubai early morning on Monday from Lahore for a musical collaboration but he was taken into the police custody at the immigration centre.

“The arrest of Rahat is specifically in relation to the criminal defamation complaint by someone but the details are not known yet,” a source in Rahat’s management said.

“Rahat is being kept in Burj Dubai police station,” the source shared.

Defamation via social media is a serious offence in Dubai. In 2019, a court in Dubai sentenced an individual to a fine of AED 250,000 and six months in prison after being convicted of defamation and abuse through social media. The convict had posted offensive comments and altered images of another person.

It is noteworthy that UAE law imposes strict penalties on cybercrimes, including online defamation and defamation through social media. This includes significant financial fines and imprisonment.

Earlier, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) announced that it found no evidence linking renowned singer Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan to money laundering, tax evasion, or any other illegal activities.