The UAE Public Prosecution has clarified the penalties for crimes of libel or insult through the telephone under the UAE Federal Penal Code.
In a video clip on its social media accounts, the Public Prosecution said that: ”According to Article 374 of the Federal Penal Code, shall be subject to a jail sentence for a term not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding AED 5000 in case the libel or insult takes place through the telephone or facing the victim in the presence of others.
The penalty shall be a fine not exceeding AED 5000 if the libel or insult takes place facing the victim without the presence of a third party or in a letter dispatched to him by any means whatsoever.
Shall be considered an aggravating circumstance if the libel or insult, in the instances stated in the two foregoing paragraphs, is addressed to a public servant or a person in charge of a public service, during or because of discharging his duties or performing his service, or if affecting his honour or the reputation of the families, or if expected to reach an illicit objective.
The Federal Public Prosecution said the publication of this video post underlines its keenness to promote the legal culture among members of the community and raise their awareness of related laws in order to reduce violations resulting from ignorance of laws.
Insults punishable by law in the UAE
Online insults and slander
Dh250k-Dh500k fine
Jail term
Direct insults (any publicity means)
Dh10,000 fine
One-year jail term
Direct insults over the phone / facing the victim in the presence of others
Dh5,000 fine
Six-month jail term
*Higher penalties are imposed if insults are directed to public officials.
