Abu Dhabi court sentences woman to five years in jail and fines Dh500,000 for hate speech

Abu Dhabi: The Abu Dhabi Criminal Court has issued its verdict convicting an accused (MRA) of posting a video online that incites hate speech. According to the facts of the case, the defendant posted a video clip on social media, which contained words that insulted men and domestic helpers, which violated public morals and norms.

The court made a verdict when the defendant appeared in court, and sentenced the defendant to five years in prison and a fine of 500,000 dirhams. After execution, he was deported. The court also ordered the confiscation of the mobile phone used to commit the crime; delete the video from the mobile phone and the account that posted the video, completely close the account, and permanently prohibit it from using any information network, electronic information system, and other information technology means.

The Abu Dhabi Public Prosecution Authority has launched an investigation into the video footage circulated through social media platforms and ordered the arrest of the accused after the video went viral. After the investigation was completed, the Public Prosecution charged the defendant with incitement to hate speech and asked the competent criminal court to punish her in accordance with the terms of Federal Decree No. (2) of 2007 in the referral decision. 2015 on Combating Discrimination and Hate.

Article 7 of the Decree on Combating Discrimination and Hate stipulates that anyone who commits an act of inciting hate speech in any form of expression or by any means shall be punished with imprisonment for at least five years or both with a fine of at least Dh500,000 and not exceeding Dh200 A fine of 10,000 dirhams.