WHAT THE LAW SAYS ABOUT INSULTS

Federal penal Code: article 373

Whoever casts another, by any publicity means, with any statement that affects his honour or dignity without attributing to him a specific fact shall be sentenced to detention for a term not exceeding one year or to a fine not in excess of Dh10,000.

The penalty shall be detention for a term not exceeding two years and a fine not in excess of Dh20,000

— in both instances, or one of those two penalties — if the insult is addressed to a public servant or a person in charge of a public service, during or because of the discharge of his duties or performing the public service, or if it affects honour or reputation of families, or if expected to fulfi an illicit purpose.

article 374(1)

In case the libel or insult takes place through the telephone or facing the victim in the presence of others, the culrit shall be sentenced to detention for a maximum period of six months or to a fine not exceeding Dh5,000 .

The penalty shall be a fine not exceeding Dh5,000 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 an means whatsoever.

If the libel or insult — in the stances stated in the paragraphs hereinabove — 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 is affecting his honour or the reputation of families, or if it expected to reach an illicit objective shall be considered an aggravating circumstance. Federal Decree law no. 5 of 2012: (Issued on 25 Ramadan 1433 AH Corresponding to August 13, 2012, on Combating Cybercrimes)

article 20

Without prejudice to the crime of slander determined by the Islamic Shariah, whoever insults or accuses another person of a matter of which he shall be subject to punishment or being held in contempt by others, by using a computer network or an information technology means shall be punished by imprisonment and a fine not less than Dh250,000 and not in excess of Dh500,000 or either of these two penalties.

If a slander or insult is committed against a public official or servant in the course of or because of his work, this shall be considered an aggravating factor of the crime.