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The spotters were arrested in Fujairah, which is about a 1.5 hour drive east of Dubai. Fujairah and Dubai are two of the seven United Arab Emirates, each of which have a high level of self rule.
Fujairah is much less developed than Dubai and has a much under utilised airport, due to the runway being built in a narrow wadi with high hills each side and at its eastern end. It is a spotters paradise which dozens of ex soviet era aircraft stored there/ rotting away. Have a look at Google Earth.
Security at Fujairah is a very sensitive issue, with a high wall built around most of the airport. Suspect that there may be something going on there which someone doesn't want to advertise, the aircraft bone yard certainly isn't a reason for the security.
Haven't heard about problems with photography at Dubai, but suggest that if you have an airband radio you may want to think twice about taking it with you.