People believe that freedom of speech gives them the right to post whatever they want on Facebook or the internet in general, but there are also some who discover the hard way that this is not entirely true. 
The Express ran an article about a man who was jailed for daring to criticize his employer online on Facebook. Ignoring the consequences it could have on his freedom, he posted a simple opinion on Facebook, and ended up in jail.
American citizen Ryan Pate, who worked as a helicopter mechanic for a Middle Eastern company, complained on his Facebook page that while he was on leave and had gone to Florida to visit his family, he was not allowed by his employer to extend his leave for a few more days. Ryan Pate tried to convince his employer by phone that the extension of his leave was absolutely necessary due to his back injury, but he was denied the additional days.
Completely angered by his employer's response, Pate decided to share his experience and frustration online on Facebook. His post contains the word "backhanded", meaning that he was treated cowardly.
However, the employer somehow found out about his publication and demanded that Pate be arrested as soon as he set foot in the United Arab Emirates. As was eventually done.
What we don't know is that there is a law in the Emirates that clearly states that no employee is allowed to belittle or badmouth their employer, let alone in public.
However, although such a law seems completely absurd in the eyes of an American citizen, Ryan Pate spent 10 days in jail, then was released on bail and is now awaiting trial facing a possible sentence of up to 5 years in prison and a $50,000 fine.
Although he has expressed regret and apologized to his employer, he now has no choice but to await his sentence. At his trial, he is expected to argue that his controversial statement was made from foreign soil and not from the Emirates, in which case he should be punished according to the laws of the country where the statement was made.
This is why you should be careful about what you publish online. Of course, we all know that the Emirates have a different approach towards foreign nationals living and working in their country. But let's not forget that we also recently had an awakening of the Greek justice system due to the unacceptable publications against Vangelis Giakoumakis.
