Abu Dhabi detains photographer seeking perfect travel shot
ABU DHABI – An amateur photographer who said he was aiming for the perfect snap for a photography competition was jailed, relieved of his passport and fined US$270 for taking prohibited pictures on Abu Dhabi’s Khalifa Bridge.
The National newspaper reported that the photographer, a Pakistani living in Sharjah, said he was taking pictures of the sunset for the “Abu Dhabi Through Your Eyes†contest, but he was accused of photographing Mina Zayed, which includes military facilities and docked warships.
He said there are no signs on the bridge warning against photographs being taken.
He was taken to the police station, had his camera was confiscated and was kept in a holding cell for two days before being released on bail,
His case was referred to the Federal Supreme Court, which handles security matters such as passport forgery and terrorism.
The man paid his fine earlier this week but said the authorities have refused to return his camera.
Ian Jarrett
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