Warning: Sharing False Information to Mislead Justice Could Land You in Jail – UAE Public Prosecution

Warning: Sharing False Information to Mislead Justice Could Land You in Jail - UAE Public Prosecution

The UAE Federal Public Prosecution has warned residents that sharing false information to mislead justice will be penalized in a hefty manner.

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 In a tweet shared by the authority, it outlined the penalties for sharing false information with the intent of misleading justice.

Warning: Sharing False Information to Mislead Justice Could Land You in Jail - UAE Public Prosecution
Credits: UAE Public Prosecution / Twitter

Using Misinformation to Mislead Justice Can Land You in Jail – UAE Public Prosecution

The message reads: “Whoever, with the intention of misleading justice, changes the conditions of persons, places or things, conceals evidence of the crime or submits false information in their respect, knowing that they are not true, shall be subject to a jail sentence, according to Article 266 of Federal Penal Code.”

In line with this, the public prosecution added that filing a criminal complaint becomes a crime when the following elements are met:

  • When an official report is filed.
  • When the reported matter involves criminal penalties or administrative sanctions.
  • If the report is filed with judicial or administrative authorities
  • The report must be proven to be false
  • The mens rea (criminal intent) which consists of two elements, namely that the reporter knowingly knows that the facts are false and he or she intentionally intends to cause harm to the person against whom the report has been filed.

The authority noted that disclosure of the identity of the person against whom the report has been filed is “not essential to establish the crime”.

However, the report must include a statement that sufficiently designates such person in a clear manner, the prosecution added.

And in the event that there’s an incident or a crime that you want to report, the prosecution invites all UAE residents to reach out and follow them via their social media platforms on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Linkedin for the latest news and updates regarding UAE laws. You may also visit their website at www.pp.gov.ae or call their hotline at 80099999.

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