Q: Hi. Someone was arrested in Dubai under the accusation of sexual harassment, but the defendant is innocent. There is DNA evidence that can prove this. However, he has confessed under pressure of doing this and signed a confession in Arabic which is a language he does not know how to read, write or speak.

Q: Hi, I need advice. I have been working for the last 30 years, and the last 10 years were with one company. I have received termination stating harassment while requesting for a face to face check with the people, facts were not disclosed. Now, they have informed me that they'll detain my gratuity amount which I feel I deserve. Harassment case - it was a complaint raised by few colleagues stating improper touching, which was not the actual case. Hence, received a termination for the same. Never given a chance to speak. However, I have not been such a person and have not done such a thing in overall 30 years of service. Now, gratuity has been held considering the harassment clause.

Q: My ex-boyfriend and I broke up last Feb 2016 and now he is back, stalking me at my workplace and sending me threat messages. I am afraid to file a complaint with the police as it might just land me into trouble since he is an ex-boyfriend. Please advice. Thank you.

س: أنا مُتهم في قضية هتك عرض بالإكراه. المجني عليها تدعي أنني لامست مؤخرتها بيدي وقد تقدمت ببلاغ بعد شهرين من تاريخ وقوع الحادثة. وبعد أسبوع فقط غادرت البلاد بلا عودة مما يثبت كيدية البلاغ. نعمل في محل لبيع الملابس بمول وكان بيننا مشاكل عمل لكنها تريد الانتقام فقط لا غير. ولكن رغم أن تقرير الأدلة الجنائية لكاميرات المراقبة يقول بأن هناك لمس بالجزء السفلي (ليس بالمؤخرة) ويقول بأنه لم يتم التعرُّف على هوية الأشخاص الموجودين في الصور، إلا أن النيابة قامت بتحويل الملف إلى المحكمة، ويُفترض أن يكون هذا دليلاً لصالحي و ليس ضدي. تواصلت النيابة كذلك مع صاحب المحل لأن المجني عليها غير موجودة بالدولة وطلبت منه شهود وأحضر شاهدان. الشهادة الأولى كانت شهادة سمعية فقط لا غير والشاهد الثاني يدعي أنه رأى الحادثة. أؤكد أن الشهادة الأولى كانت سمعية ولا تؤكد حدوث الواقعة و تعتبر في صالحي. أما بالنسبة لأقوالي، فقد نفيت كل هذا وأيضًا أحضرت شاهدة تنفي كل هذه الادعاءات الباطلة. لكن ورغم كل هذا، فقد كان قرار القاضي في المحكمة الابتدائية ضدي بالحكم بالسجن لمدة ٣ أشهر وإبعاد عن الدولة. هل من مساعدة!

س: هل تسقط القضية الجنائية (هتك عرض) المحالة إلى المحكمة في حالة عدم حضور وعدم وجود المجني عليها داخل الدولة؟

Q: Hi, I have an ongoing harassment issue with a former colleague. She created fake Facebook accounts and sent messages to my family and friends accusing me of adultery and threatening. At that time, I did not know who she was as all the accounts were fake, however, yesterday she sent a package to my family with a document of my photos, WhatsApp messages, and allegations against me. She also sent me abusive emails for months which included threats of defamation and threats against my family, but I did not reply. She bombarded my employer pretending to be my wife, requesting my HR records. I had to leave my jobs because of embarrassment. I decided to report her to the police, however, because of work commitments, I am in the UK and will only return in January. The police have advised me to return and file a case. I would like two services: 1. Send a cease and desist letter to the person harassing me to stop. 2. Represent me whilst I am abroad to pursue this case.

Q: Hello, In case someone complains to the police for offensive language / bad words in the UAE, is there any immediate travel ban against the offender? Or in general, is there any travel ban if the case is open for such an offense? If yes, then at what stage of the case the offender cannot leave the UAE?

س: السلام عليكم، أتواصل مع بنت بداعي الحب والزواج. بعد مدة اعترفت لي أنها تعرضت للاغتصاب من قبل شاب آخر. ترسل لي صورها وهي عارية، والآن تطلب مني الاعتراف أنني أنا مَن اغتصبها.

An interview-format article covering the topic of harassment in the UAE. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW.

An interview-format article covering the topic of rape in the UAE. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW.

This Law promulgates the Federal Penal Code (Criminal Law) of the United Arab Emirates. Crimes and chastisement punishments shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of this Law and other penal codes.

The provisions of this Federal Decree-Law No. (31) of 2021 Promulgating the Crimes and Penalties Law, known as the "New UAE Penal Code", governs criminal actions in the United Arab Emirates. The New Penal Code repeals the previous UAE Penal Code (Federal Law No. (3) of 1987 Promulgating the Penal Code).