Gulf national arrested for insulting UAE currency

Mohammed Al Mahi, Staff Reporter

The Umm Al Quwain Police’s Criminal Investigations Department arrested a Gulf national after he appeared in a video clip on a social media channel insulting the official currency of the UAE.

Brigadier Hamid Bin Ajeel, Director of Criminal Investigations Department, said the cybercrime team detected a video showing the young man abusing the UAE’s currency, adding that the team identified the source of the video and the identity and location of the young man.

The team later arrested him after taking the necessary legal measures.

On interrogation, the young man did not deny the charge against him and therefore the legal measures were taken against him.

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The Federal Law (5) for 2012 on combating cybercrimes stipulates under article no. (29) that whoever posts information with the intention to harm the reputation, prestige or standing of the UAE or any of its institutions will be temporarily imprisoned and fined less than Dhs1 million, he added.

The UAE Public Prosecution called on all members of the public to abide by laws and not to underestimate the national currency in any way whatsoever.

"The national currency carries the name and emblem of the UAE; hence the moral value is greater than its material value, and any behaviour that is deemed an insult to the currency is a crime punishable by the UAE law," the Public Prosecution said.

Through a video clip published on its social media platforms, the Public Prosecution affirmed that whoever, publicly and intentionally mutilates, destroys or tears up currency, shall be punished by a fine, which shall be the greater of one thousand dirhams (Dhs1,000) and ten (10) times the value of the mutilated, destroyed or torn currency, according to Article (141) of Federal Law No. (14) of 2018 regarding the Central Bank & Organization of Financial Institutions and Activities.

It urged all social media users to have a sense of responsibility before publishing materials and videos on their accounts.