He admitted he was doing research into the UAE Security strategy, without approval.
Remember that poor Italian student who tried a similar project in Egypt? Wasn't his body found in the road? Why on earth choose a subject about security. Agreed no sympathy here.
Also what happened to those guys from the UK that were accused of spying whilst plane spotting? I believe the Arab culture does not include plane spotting, train spotting or any other type of spotting!