Today's Edition
AHMED ABDELAZIZ (ABU DHABI)
The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) has warned that the potential penalties for spreading rumours, fake news and anti-state propaganda are imprisonment and fines of up to Dh200,000.
In a post on its official account on X on Tuesday, ADJD clarified that according to Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021 on combating rumours and cybercrime, use of the internet or any other information technology platform to post, repost, circulate or re-circulate fake news, false statements and malicious, misleading and erroneous reports, rumours that are contrary to what has been officially announced, or the spread of any sensational propaganda are punishable by imprisonment for at least one year and a fine of Dh100,000.
In the case of publishing false information or rumours that agitate public opinion against state authorities during times of pandemic, crisis or disaster, the violator could be imprisoned for at least two years and fined Dh200,000.
The ADJD issued this public advisory as part of its ongoing legal and cultural awareness campaign.
عقوبة نشر الشائعات والأخبار الكاذبة
— دائرة القضاء-أبوظبي (@ADJD_Official) May 20, 2025
The punishment of spreading rumors and fake news pic.twitter.com/dtxJ0oQL1J
