The Crime of Threats in UAE Law

Ms. Safaa Al Khatib
CEO of Zayed Al-Shamsi Advocates and Legal Consultants

The UAE legislator criminalized the act of threat and imposed penalties for it in both the Penal Code and the Law on Combating Rumors and Cybercrimes, depending on the method through which the threat is committed. If the threat is made using ordinary means, such as verbal threats face-to-face, over the phone, in written messages, or through another person—whether the threat involves committing a felony against the individual’s own life or property, or against someone else’s life or property, or by attributing harmful things to the victim’s honor or spreading such things, whether accompanied by a request to do or refrain from an act, or intended for that purpose, or if the perpetrator simply made the threat—the penalty will be in accordance with the UAE Penal Code issued by Federal Law Decree No. (31) of 2021, which may result in imprisonment for no less than seven years. If the threat is not accompanied by the commission of a felony or is not associated with a request to do or refrain from an act, the penalty could be imprisonment for up to one year or a fine of at least 10,000 dirhams.

However, if the threat was made through electronic means, the penalty will be in accordance with the UAE Law on Combating Rumors and Cybercrimes, which may result in imprisonment for up to two years and a fine ranging from 250,000 to 500,000 dirhams.

Elements of the Crime of Threat:

1. Material Element: This refers to the actions carried out by the perpetrator in threatening the victim, whether verbally, by gesture, in writing, via electronic means, or through another person. These include phrases that instill fear and apprehension in the victim, whether accompanied by blackmail or just words alone.

2. Mental Element: This refers to the criminal intent the perpetrator has when committing the threat. The perpetrator is aware that the actions they are taking constitute a crime punishable by law, and they intend to achieve the desired criminal outcome.

At the end of our article, we encourage everyone to be aware of their rights and duties. If they experience any act of threat or threat accompanied by blackmail, they should contact one of our specialized legal advisors to review the case and provide appropriate advice, followed by proceeding with the criminal proceedings.