Man Sentenced to Prison in Abu Dhabi for Calling his Fiancée Idiot on Whatsapp

In the United Arab Emirates, cybercrime is no joke. A man recently experienced it after calling her fiancée “idiot” on the Whatsapp application. Although the man mentioned a bad joke when he appeared before the court, the message earned him a suspended sentence of 2 months’ imprisonment and a fine of 20,000 dirhams (4,445 dollars).

Cybercrime in UAE

In the United Arab Emirates, the law on cybercrime is very strict. Any offensive publication via social networks is considered a cybercrime and those who have been convicted are liable to a prison sentence and a fine of up to one million dirhams.

While this type of case is not new in the Kingdom, some have preferred to react with humour.

God help me if my husband tries to pull this… I’d never see the light of day again https://t.co/d252ISF1IS

— Kirsty (@LifeInExcess_) December 11, 2018