British-Australian man gets bail in Dubai for charity charge

In this undated photograph provided by the advocacy group Detained in Dubai, British-Australian dual national Scott Richards is seen in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Richards, who wanted to raise money for Afghans who fled their country's long war, has been detained by Dubai police for weeks over promoting a charity, his supporters say. (Detained in Dubai photo via AP) (The Associated Press)

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Supporters say a British-Australian man held in Dubai over a charge related to his charity advocacy has been freed on bail.

Radha Stirling, of the advocacy group Detained in Dubai, says Tuesday that Scott Richards is back in his Dubai home with his family.

Stirling says no trial date has been set in Richards' case, which involves his advocacy for a charity buying tarps for those living in Charahi Qambar, a community of mud homes near Kabul, Afghanistan.

Richards' case appears to be the first prosecuted under a new Dubai law that regulates charities amid regional concerns about cash donations reaching extremists.

However, his supporters say the regulations can be applied to anyone wanting to do good by donating to international causes or even talking about them online.