Federal Law by Decree No. (31) of 2021 Promulgating the Crimes and Penalties Law (security and safety law)

Article (386 ) 
A penalty of incarceration for a period not exceeding (6) six months or a fine not exceeding 
(5,000) five thousand AED shall be impose d on whoever attempts suicide.  
The court may order to place the perpetrator in a therapeutical shelter instead of imposing 
the penalty prescribed for the crime on him, in accordance with the controls stipulated in 
article (142) of this Law.  
A penalty of in carceration shall be imposed on whoever instigates or assists another person 
to commit suicide in any manner if he commits or attempts suicide based on the same.   
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 If the person who has committed suicide is under 18 years of age or of diminished capacity 
or perception, this shall be considered as an aggravating circumstance.  
The instigator shall be punished with the penalty prescribed for deliberate murder or 
attempt thereto, as the case may be, if the person committing or attempting suicide lacks 
choice or p erception.

Article (387 ) 
A penalty of temporary imprisonment for a period not exceeding (10) ten years shall be 
imposed on anyone who commits assault on the physical safety of another person, in any 
manner, without intending to kill him, but the assault leads to his death.  
If any of the circumstances stipulated in the second paragraph of article (384) is fulfilled, 
this shall be considered an aggravating circumstance.  
Committing the act while in a state of drunkenness or narcotization shall also be consid ered 
an aggravating circumstance, without prejudice to the provisions of Articles (62) and (63).

Article (388 ) 
A penalty of temporary imprisonment for a period not exceeding (7) seven years shall be 
imposed on anyone who deliberately causes permanent dis ability to another.  
If any of the circumstances stipulated in the second paragraph of article (384) of this Law is 
fulfilled, this shall be considered an aggravating circumstance.  
A disability is deemed permanent if the injury has caused the cutting of, se verance or 
amputation of an organ or any part thereof, or total or partial or loss its if its benefit, or the 
permanent total or partial loss of the function of any sense.  
Any grave mutilation which cannot be removed shall be considered as disability.

Article (389 ) 
A penalty of temporary imprisonment for a period not exceeding (5) five years shall be 
imposed on anyone who commits assault on the physical integrity of another person, in any 
manner, leading to unintentional permanent disability. The penalty shall be imprisonment  
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 for a period not exceeding (10) ten years if any of the circumstances stipulated in the second 
paragraph of article (384) is fulfilled, or if the perpetrator commits the act in a state of 
drunkenness or narcotization, without prejudic e to the provisions of Articles (62 and 63) of 
this Law.

Article (390 ) 
A penalty of incarceration and a fine shall be imposed on anyone who commits assault on 
the physical integrity of another person in any manner whatever, which leads to a disease or 
the inability to carry on his personal activities for more than twenty days.  
The penalty shall be incarceration for a period not exceeding one year and a fine not 
exceeding (10,000) ten thousand AED if the results of the assault are not as grave as is 
descri bed in the preceding paragraph.  
If the assault leads on a pregnant woman to abortion, this shall be considered an aggravating 
circumstance.

Article (391 ) 
A penalty of incarceration for a period not exceeding one year and/or a fine not exceeding 
(10,000) ten thousand AED shall be imposed on any pregnant woman who aborts herself 
deliberately by any means whatsoever.  
A penalty of incarceration for a period not less two years or a fine not less than (10,000) ten 
thousand AED shall be imposed on anyone who del iberately aborts a pregnant woman with 
her consent by any means whatsoever.  
If she is aborted by a physician, surgeon, pharmacist, midwife or other technician, the 
penalty shall be temporary imprisonment for a period not exceeding (5) five years, without 
prejudice to any severer penalty stipulated by any other law  
A penalty of temporary imprisonment for a period not exceeding (7) seven years shall be 
imposed on anyone who deliberately aborts a pregnant woman without her consent.  
Attempt to commit any of the  acts as stipulated in this Article shall be punishable by half the 
penalties prescribed therein.   
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Article (392 ) 
If the assault stipulated in Articles (387), (388), (338) and (390) of this Law, and in the fourth 
paragraph of the preceding Article is commi tted using a weapon, club or machine or any 
other tool, by one or more members of a gang composed of at least three persons, who has 
conspired to assault and cause injury, the penalty shall be incarceration and a fine for each 
of them, without prejudice to  the severer penalty prescribed for any of them who takes part 
in the assault, or to any other penalty stipulated by law.  
If the crimes stated in the preceding Articles are committed during a war against wounded 
persons, even if they are enemies, this shal l be considered an aggravating circumstance.

Article (393 ) 
A penalty of incarceration and/or a fine shall be imposed on any individual who, by his fault, 
causes the death of another person.  
The penalty shall be incarceration for a period not less than on e year and a fine if the crime 
is committed as a result of the perpetrator's violation of the duties imposed thereon by the 
principles of his job, profession, or craft, or if he has been, at the time of the accident, in a 
state of drunkenness or narcotizat ion, or if he refrains from helping the victim or requesting 
help for the victim although he is capable of doing so.  
The penalty shall be incarceration for a period not less than (2) two years and not exceeding 
(5) five years and a fine if the act has caus ed the death of more than three persons. If one 
other circumstance from amongst those stated in the preceding paragraph is fulfilled, the 
penalty shall be incarceration for a period not less than (3) three years and not exceeding (7) 
seven years and a fine .

Article (394 ) 
A penalty of incarceration for a period not exceeding one year and/or a fine not exceeding 
(10,000) ten thousand AED shall be imposed on anyone who, by his fault, causes injury to 
the physical integrity of another person.  
The penalty shal l be incarceration for a period not exceeding (2) two years and a fine the  
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 crime causes permanent disability, or if the crime is committed as a result of the 
perpetrator's violation of the duties imposed thereon by the principles of his job, profession, 
or craft, or if he has been, at the time of the accident, in a state of drunkenness or 
narcotization, or if he refrains from helping the victim or requesting help for the victim 
although he is capable of doing so . 
The penalty shall be incarceration and a fi ne if the act results in assaulting the physical 
integrity of more than three persons. If other circumstance from amongst those stated in the 
preceding paragraph is fulfilled, the penalty shall be incarceration for a period not less than 
(6) six months and  not exceeding (5) five years and a fine.  
  
Chapter Two  
Crimes Against Liberty

Article (395)  
A penalty of temporary imprisonment shall be imposed on anyone who unlawfully, 
personally or through an intermediary, and through any means, kidnaps, seizes, detai ns or 
deprives another person of his liberty. The penalty shall be life imprisonment in the 
following cases:  
1. If the act is committed with the assumption of public capacity or with the pretension to 
perform or to be entrusted with a public service, or to as sociated with a false capacity.  
2. If the act is fraudulently committed or with the use of force or threat to kill or seriously 
harm, or by means of bodily or psychological torture.  
3. If the act is committed by two or more persons or by a person carrying weapon s. 
4. If the period of the kidnapping, seizure, detention or deprivation of liberty exceeds one 
month.  
5. If the victim is a female, juvenile, insane, imbecile or disabled.  
6. If the act is committed with the intention to realize profit, to take revenge, to rape th e 
victim or violate his honour, to injure him or to induce him to commit a crime.  
7. If the act is committed against a public servant during or due to the performance of his 
job.   
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 If said act caused the death of the victim, the penalty shall be death. The pena lty prescribed 
for the principal perpetrator on anyone who acts as intermediary in the commission of any 
of the crimes referred to in this Article as well as anyone who knowingly hides a kidnapped 
person.

Article (396 ) 
In the event that the perpetrator, of his own volition, surrenders to the judicial or 
administrative authorities prior to their discovery of the whereabouts of the abducted 
person and actively assists in guiding them to the said location while providing information 
regarding the other perpe trator involved in the crime, thereby leading to the successful 
rescue of the abducted person, the perpetrator shall be granted an exemption from 
punishment for the offences outlined in the preceding Article.

Article (397 ) 
Whoever facilitates the entry o r exit of an individual into or from the country with the 
deliberate intent to possess or dispose of thereof, as well as whoever possesses, purchases, 
sells, offers for sale, or in any way engages in the disposition of another person on the 
premise that of  being slaves, shall be subject to the imposition of temporary imprisonment.

Article (398 ) 
Whoever forces a person to work, with or without pay, for a private interest, in cases other 
than those permitted by law, shall be liable to imprisonment for a dur ation not exceeding 
one year, in addition to a fine not surpassing (10,000) ten thousand Dirhams or one of these 
two penalties.  
  
Chapter Three  
Exposure to Danger

Article (399 ) 
A penalty of incarceration and/or a fine shall be imposed on anyone who deliber ately  
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 commits an act that would endanger people's life, health, safety or liberty.  
The penalty shall be incarceration if any injury whatever has resulted from such act, without 
prejudice to any severer punishment prescribed by the law.

Article (400 ) 
A pe nalty of incarceration for a period not exceeding (3) three years shall be imposed on 
anyone who, personally or through an intermediary, endangers a juvenile who has not 
completed (15) fifteen years of age or a person incapable of protecting himself due to  his 
health, mental or psychological condition. The penalty shall be incarceration if the crime is 
committed by way of abandoning the juvenile or disabled in a deserted place, or if it is 
committed by an ascendant of the victim or by any person whose duty is to protect and take 
care of the victim. If permanent disability or death of the victim has resulted from the act, 
without any intention on the part of the perpetrator to cause disability or death, the latter 
shall be punished with the penalty prescribed  for the crime of assault leading to a 
permanent disability or with the penalty for the assault leading to death, as the case may be. 
The same penalty shall also be imposed if such endangerment occurs by way of deliberately 
depriving the juvenile or the di sabled of the food or care which his condition necessitates, 
whenever the perpetrator is bound by the Islamic Sharia to provide it.

Article (401 ) 
A penalty of incarceration or by a fine not exceeding (10,000) ten thousand AED anyone 
who, either personall y or through an intermediary, endangers in a populous area a child 
who has not completed (7) seven years of age.  
  
Chapter Four  
Threat

Article (402)  
A penalty of temporary imprisonment for a period not exceeding (7) seven years shall be 
imposed on anyone w ho threatens another, in writing or orally, to commit a felony against  
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 his person or property, or against the person or property of another person, or who 
attributes thereto or discloses dishonouring matters, whenever such threats are or are meant 
to be as sociated with the request or assignment to commit or omit an act.

Article (403 ) 
A penalty of incarceration shall be imposed on anyone who threatens another to commit a 
felony against his person or property or against the person or property of another per son, or 
who attributes thereto or discloses dishonouring matters in cases other than those described 
in the preceding Article.

Article (404 ) 
Anyone who, threatens another, by word or deed, or by any written or oral allusion, either 
personally or through an intermediary, in cases other than those described in the two 
preceding two Articles, shall be punished with incarceration for a period not exceeding one 
year or a fine not exceeding (10,000) ten thousand AED.

Article (405 ) 
Without prejudice to any sev ere penalty, a penalty of incarceration and/or a fine shall be 
imposed on whoever is caught in circumstances that pose a threat to public security or the 
safety of persons or funds while carrying an injuring, cutting, piercing,, crushing, bruising or 
sting ing machine or tool, unless it is due to his professional activity or due to a legitimate 
reason.  
Chapter Five  
Crimes Against Honor  
Part  One  
Rape, Disgracing and Intercourse With Consent

Article (406)  
Whoever forcibly has sexual intercourse with a female s hall be punished with life  
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 imprisonment.  
The penalty shall be death if the victim is not more than (18) eighteen years of age, or her 
will is not recognized for any reason, or if she has a physical disability, or suffers from a 
health condition that render s her unable to resist, or if the perpetrator is one of the victim's 
ascendants or non -marriageable relatives, one of those who raise or care for her or those 
who have authority over her, or if the perpetrator is a servant of the victim or any of the 
afore mentioned persons, or if the perpetrators are two or more persons.

Article (407)  
A penalty of incarceration and/or a fine not less than (10,000) ten thousand AED shall be 
imposed on anyone who disgraces any person, whether a male or a female.  
The penalty  shall be imprisonment for a period not less than (5) five years and not 
exceeding (20) twenty years, if the act or attempt is accompanied by use of force or threat.  
The penalty shall be imprisonment for a period not less than (10) ten years and not 
exceed ing (25) twenty five years, if the victims is not more than (18) eighteen years of age, 
or his will is not recognized for any reason, or if he has a physical disability, or suffers from a 
health condition that renders him unable to resist, or if the perpet rator is one of the victim's 
ascendants or non -marriageable relatives, one of those who raise or care for him or those 
who have authority over him, or if the perpetrator is the servant of the victim or any of the 
aforementioned persons, or if the crime occ urs in a place of work, study, shelter or care.

Article (408 ) 
If any of the crimes stipulated in Articles (406) and (407) results in the death of the victim, 
the penalty shall be death.

Article (409 ) 
A penalty of incarceration for a period not less tha n (6) six months shall be imposed on 
whoever has sexual intercourse with a female, or commits sodomy with a male, who has 
completed (18) eighteen years of age with consent thereof. The same penalty shall be  
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 imposed on anyone who accepts to engage in such a ction.  
No criminal lawsuit may be filed for the crime stipulated in the preceding paragraph except 
on the basis of a complaint from the husband or tutor.  
In all cases, the husband or tutor has the right to waive the complaint, and the waiver shall 
result i n the expiry of criminal action or the stay of execution of the penalty, as the case may 
be.

Article (410 ) 
A penalty of incarceration for a period not less than (2) two years shall be imposed on 
whoever have sexual intercourse with a female who has compl eted (18) eighteen years of 
age and has given birth to an adulterine child. The female shall be punished with the same 
penalty.  
In all cases, no criminal lawsuit may be filed against them if the man marries that woman or 
one or if both of them acknowledge the paternity of the child, and identification papers and 
travel documents have been issued for that child in accordance with the laws of the country 
to which either of them belongs by nationality, subject to the legislation in force in the State. 
Such mar riage or acknowledgment and the issuance of identification papers and travel 
documents for the child shall result in the expiry of criminal lawsuit or the stay of execution 
of the penalty, as the case may be.  
  
Part  Two  
Flagrant and Indecent Acts

Article (411 ) 
A penalty of incarceration or a fine not less than (1,000) one thousand AED and not 
exceeding (100,000) one hundred thousand AED shall be imposed on whoever publicly 
commits an indecent act. In case of recidivism, he shall be punished with imprisonmen t for a 
period not exceeding (3) three months and/or a fine not less than (10,000) ten thousand 
AED and not exceeding (200,000) two hundred thousand AED.  
The same penalty shall apply to any person who says or commits anything that is against  
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 public morals.  
A penalty of incarceration for a period not less than one year shall be imposed on whoever 
commits an indecent act with a woman or a boy under (18) eighteen years of age even if not 
in public.

Article (412 ) 
A penalty of incarceration for a period not ex ceeding one year and/or by a fine not 
exceeding (10,000) ten thousand AED shall be imposed on any man who:  
1. Approaches a female in a public road or frequently visited place in an indecent manner 
with words or acts.  
2. Disguises himself as a woman to enter a wo men -only space or a place only accessed by 
women at the time. If the perpetrator commits a crime in this case, this shall be 
considered as an aggravating circumstance.

Article (413 ) 
A penalty of incarceration for a period not less than one year and/or a fine of not less than 
(10,000) ten thousand AED shall be shall be imposed on anyone person who commits the 
crime of sexual harassment.  
Sexual harassment is any persistent behaviour which disturbs the victim through the 
repetition of acts, words or gestures  that would offend that person's modesty with the 
intention of causing that person to submit to the sexual desires of the perpetrator or of a 
third party.  
The penalty shall be incarceration for a period not less than (2) two years and/or a fine not 
less th an (50,000) fifty thousand AED if the perpetrators are multiple, or if the perpetrator 
carries a weapon, or if the victim is not more than (18) eighteen years of age, or if the 
perpetrator is one of the victim's ascendants or non -marriageable relatives, or  one of those 
who raise or care for him or those who have authority over him, or if the perpetrator is the 
servant of the victim or any of the aforementioned persons.  
   
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 Part  Three  
Instigation of Debauchery and Prostitution

Article (414)  
A penalty of impris onment for a period not exceeding six months and/or a fine not 
exceeding (100,000) one hundred thousand AED shall be imposed on whoever is found on 
a public road or frequently visited place instigating the passers -by, by words or gestures, to 
debauchery.

Article (415 ) 
A penalty of incarceration for a period not exceeding one month and/or a fine not exceeding 
(100,000) one hundred thousand AED shall be imposed on whoever publicly makes an 
appeal, utters a song, shouts out or makes a statement that is immor al, and whoever publicly 
prompts others by any means whatsoever to debauchery.

Article (416 ) 
A penalty of incarceration for a period not exceeding one month and/or a fine not exceeding 
(100,000) one hundred thousand AED shall be imposed on whoever manufa ctures, imports, 
exports, acquires, possesses or transports, with the intention of exploitation, distribution or 
offering to others, writings, drawings, pictures, movies, symbols or other indecent materials.  
The same penalty shall be imposed on whoever adv ertises any of the aforementioned 
materials.

Article (417 ) 
A penalty of incarceration for a period not less than one year and a fine shall be imposed on 
anyone who instigates, persuades or entices or helps, through any means whatever, any 
male or female to commit debauchery or prostitution.  
If the victim is under (18) eighteen years of age, the penalty shall be incarceration for a 
period not less than (2) two years and a fine.  
   
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Article (418 ) 
A penalty of temporary imprisonment for a period not exceeding (10) ten years shall be 
imposed on anyone who, by ways of coercion, trick or threat, instigates any male or female 
to commit debauchery or prostitution.  
The penalty shall be temporary imprisonment for a period not less than (10) ten years if the 
victim is under (18) eighteen years of age. Furthermore, the aforementioned penalties shall 
be imposed, as the case may be, on anyone who, by ways of coercion, trick or threat, retains 
any person against his will, in a place with the intention to compel him to commi t one or 
several acts of debauchery or prostitution.

Article (419 ) 
A penalty of temporary imprisonment and a fine not less than (100,000) one hundred 
thousand AED shall be imposed on whoever establishes or runs a house for debauchery or 
prostitution, or who facilitates such practices, or assists by any means in establishing or 
running such a house.  
In all cases, a judgment shall be issued ordering the closure of the place and it shall not be 
allowed to reopen unless it is designated to deal in lawful busi ness, and after approval of the 
Public Prosecution.

Article (420 ) 
A penalty of temporary imprisonment for a period not exceeding (5) five years shall be 
imposed on anyone who, through any means, takes advantage of the prostitution or 
debauchery of anothe r person.

Article (421)  
If the perpetrator, with respect to the crimes stipulated in Articles (417), (418) and 420), the 
perpetrator is an ascendant or a non -marriageable relative of the victim, any of those who 
raise or observe him or those who have autho rity over him, or who works for him or to any 
of the aforementioned persons, this shall be considered an aggravating circumstance.  
   
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Article (422 ) 
Any habitual prostitute or debauchee shall be punished with temporary imprisonment.

Article (423 ) 
If any in dividual is convicted of any of the crimes stipulated in this Part  and sentenced to a 
freedom -restricting penalty for a period of one year or more, he shall be put under probation 
for a period equivalent to that of the imposed penalty.

Article (424 ) 
The perpetrator shall, under the provisions stipulated in this Chapter, be assumed to know 
the victim's age.  
  
Chapter Six 
Defamatory Crimes  
Libel, Slander and Violation of Secrets

Article (425 ) 
A penalty of incarceration for a period not exceeding (2) two yea rs or a fine not exceeding 
(20,000) twenty thousand AED shall be imposed on anyone who, through any means of 
publicity, attributes to another person an incident that would make him subject to 
punishment or expose him to public hatred or contempt.  
The penal ty shall be incarceration and/or a fine if the act of libel is committed against a 
public servant or any person entrusted with a public service, during, due to or on the 
occasion of performing the public service, or if the act of libel violates honour or d isgraces 
the reputation of families, or if it appears to achieve any unlawful purpose.  
If libel is expressed by publication in a newspaper or printed material, this shall be 
considered an aggravating circumstance.   
 
  
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Article (426 ) 
A penalty of incarceration  for a period not exceeding one year or a fine not exceeding 
(20,000) twenty thousand AED shall be imposed on anyone who slanders others through 
any means of publicity in such a way as to violate his honour or dignity without attributing a 
particular incid ent thereto.  
The penalty shall be Incarceration for a period not exceeding (2) two years and/or a fine not 
less than (20,000) twenty thousand AED and not exceeding (50,000) fifty thousand AED if 
the slander is directed to a public servant or a person entru sted with a public service during, 
due to or on the occasion of performing the public service, or it prejudices honour or 
reputation of the families or if it is noted to achieve an illegal purpose,.  
If the slander occurs by way of publication in a newspape r or printed material, this shall be 
considered an aggravating circumstance.

Article (427 ) 
A penalty of punished incarceration for a period not exceeding (6) six months or a fine not 
exceeding (5,000) five thousand AED shall be imposed if the libel or sl ander is committed on 
the telephone or directly against the victim in the presence of others.  
The penalty shall a fine not exceeding (5,000) five thousand AED if the libel or slander is 
committed against the victim in the presence of no one else or in a le tter sent thereto by any 
means whatsoever.  
It shall be considered as an aggravating circumstance if libel or slander is committed in the 
cases stipulated in the preceding two paragraphs against a public servant or a person 
entrusted with a public service, during, due to or in the occasion of performing such public 
service, or if libel is against honour or the reputation of families or appears to achieve any 
unlawful purpose.

Article (428 ) 
There is no crime if the perpetrator proves the incident which attrib uted to the victim, 
whenever such attribution is against a public servant or a person entrusted with a public  
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 service and whenever said incident is connected with the job or service.  
In such a case, slander may also be proved if it is committed by the perp etrator personally 
and is connected with the incident of libel.  
However, proof may not be provided if more than (5) five years have elapsed since the 
occurrence of the incident, if the crime has expired for any cause of expiration or if the 
judgment issued  on it has been forfeited.

Article (429 ) 
There is no crime in any libel or slander included in oral or written defence of the litigants, 
within the limits of the right of defence, before courts or investigating authorities.

Article (430 ) 
There is no cr ime if an individual informs in good faith the judicial or administrative 
authorities of an act rendering its perpetrator legally liable.

Article (431 ) 
A penalty of incarceration and a fine shall be imposed on anyone who violates the private or 
family li fe of individuals by committing any of the following acts in other than the cases as 
permitted by law or without the consent of the victim:  
1. Eavesdropping, recording or transmitting by any device of any kind whatsoever 
conversations made in a private place or by way of telephone or any other device.  
2. Taking or transmitting by any device of any kind whatsoever a photo of a person in a 
private place. If such acts as set forth in the preceding two cases during a meeting in front 
of those present at the meeting, the consent of such persons shall be presumed.  
The same penalty shall apply if a person publishes, by any means of publicity, news, photos 
or comments related to the private or family life secrets of individuals, even if they are true.  
A penalty of incarce ration for a period not exceeding (7) years and a fine shall be imposed 
on any public servant who commits one of the acts stated in this Article exploiting the 
authority of his job.   
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 In all cases, it shall be ruled to confiscate the devices and other items that may have been 
used in the crime. It shall also be ruled to erase or destroy the recordings obtained.

Article (432 ) 
A penalty of incarceration for a period not less than one year and/or a fine not less than 
(20,000) twenty thousand AED shall be impos ed on anyone who, by reason of his 
profession, craft, situation or art is entrusted with a secret and then discloses it in cases other 
than those permitted by law, or who uses it for his own advantage or another person's 
advantage, unless the person concer ned with the secret has permitted that it be disclosed or 
used.  
The penalty shall be temporary imprisonment for a period not exceeding (5) five years if the 
perpetrator is a public servant or a person entrusted with a public service and if the secret 
has b een entrusted thereto during, due to or on the occasion of performing his job or 
service.

Article (433 ) 
A penalty of a fine not less than (3,000) three thousand AED shall be imposed on anyone 
who opens a letter or telegram, without the consent of the add ressee, or who eavesdrops a 
telephone conversation.  
The perpetrator shall be punished with incarceration for a period not less than (3) three 
months or with a fine not less than (5,000) five thousand AED if he discloses the letter, 
telegram or telephone co nversation to any person other than the addressee without his 
permission, whenever such disclosure would cause harm to third parties.

Article (434 ) 
A penalty of incarceration shall be imposed on whoever unrightfully copies, distributes to or 
provides ano ther person with the content of a phone call, or a letter or information or data 
or any other such things to which he has access by virtue of his profession.  
   
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 Section  Eight  
Crimes Against Property  
Chapter One  
Theft

Article (435 ) 
Theft occurs by embezzleme nt of movable property owned by a person other than the 
perpetrator and shall be subject to the provisions of the following Articles.

Article (436 ) 
A penalty of life imprisonment anyone who commits theft in which the following 
circumstances are fulfilled : 
1. If the act is committed at night.  
2. If the act is committed by two or more persons.  
3. If one of the perpetrators is carrying weapons.  
4. If the act is committed in an inhabited place, in a place designated for habitation or in 
any building annexed thereto, if e ntering such place has to be realized through scaling, 
breaking in, use of duplicate keys, assumption of a public or false entity, pretension to 
perform or to be entrusted with a public service, or by using any other unlawful means.  
5. If the act is committed  with the use of coercion or threat to use weapons.

Article (437 ) 
A penalty of life or temporary imprisonment shall be imposed on anyone who commits theft 
in a public road or in any of the land, sea or air means of transportation, in any of the 
following  cases:  
1. If the act is committed by two or more persons, among whom one is carrying weapons.  
2. If the act is committed forcibly by two or more persons.  
3. If the act is committed at night by one person carrying weapons.  
4. If the act is committed by one person carr ying weapons by way of coercion or threat to  
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 use weapons.

Article (438 ) 
A penalty of temporary imprisonment shall be imposed on anyone who commits a theft by 
way of coercion or threat to use weapons, whether his intent is to acquire the stolen 
property, to convert it to his own use or to carry it away.

Article (439 ) 
A penalty of temporary imprisonment shall be imposed on anyone who commits a theft if 
the crime is committed at a night by two or more persons among whom one is carrying 
weapons.  
The same pe nalty shall be imposed for the theft committed at night in an inhabited place by 
one single person carrying weapons.

Article (440 ) 
A penalty of temporary imprisonment shall be imposed on anyone who commits a crime of 
theft against the weapons or ammuniti on of the Armed Forces or the police. The penalty 
shall be life imprisonment if any of the circumstances stipulated forth in article (437) of this 
Law is fulfilled.  
The penalty shall be detention for a period not less than one year, but not exceeding (5) f ive 
years if the theft is committed against supplies or tools used or prepared for use in 
telecommunications or other services constructed by the Government or licensed to be 
constructed for public benefit.

Article (441 ) 
A penalty of incarceration for a period not less than (2) two years and not exceeding (7) 
seven years shall be imposed if the theft is committed larceny in either of the two following 
cases:  
1. At night.   
Federal Law by Decree of 2021 Promulgating the Crimes and Penalties Law  135 
 2. If the perpetrator carries weapons.  
The penalty shall be temporary imprisonment for a pe riod not less than (5) five years and 
not exceeding (7) seven years if the theft is committed by any of the workers at his working 
place or with the intent to harm his employer.

Article (442 ) 
The penalty shall be incarceration for a period not less than one year if the theft is 
committed:  
1. In any worship venues.  
2. In any inhabited place or in any place designated for habitation or any building annexed 
thereto.  
3. In any means of transportation, or in a station, harbour or airport.  
4. Through scaling, breaking in, or by using duplicate keys or master keys without the 
authorization of the owner.  
5. By a person who assumes a public or false entity or who pretends to perform or to be 
entrusted with a public service.  
6. By two or more persons.  
7. During war against injured perso ns. 
8. Against property belonging to any of the authorities stipulated in article (5).  
9. Against cattle, riding animals or beasts of burden.

Article (443 ) 
A penalty of incarceration for a period not less than (6) six months or a fine shall be imposed 
on anyon e who commits a crime of theft in which none of the circumstances stipulated in 
the preceding Articles of this Chapter is fulfilled.

Article (444 ) 
A penalty of incarceration or a fine shall be imposed on anyone who embezzles, in any 
manner whatever, the telephone service, any telecommunication service or any other  
Federal Law by Decree of 2021 Promulgating the Crimes and Penalties Law  136 
 governmental service, or who unlawfully exploits, uses, transfers or empties any of such 
services or any current or the like from amongst the things which are used for the 
connection or transmis sion of such services.

Article (445 ) 
Attempt of the misdemeanour of theft shall be punishable by half the penalty prescribed for 
the consummated crime.

Article (446 ) 
When the Court rules incarceration for one year or more for theft or attempt of theft,  it may, 
in case of recidivism, order probation for a period not exceeding (2) two years and not 
exceeding the period of the adjudged penalty.

Article (447 ) 
A penalty of incarceration for a period not exceeding one year and/or a fine not exceeding 
(10,00 0) ten thousand AED shall be imposed on anyone who uses a car, a motorcycle or any 
similar vehicle, without the authorization or consent of its owner or the person who is 
entitled to make use thereof.

Article (448 ) 
If the perpetrator uses the existence o f riot, commotion, fire or any other disaster, as an 
opportunity in order to commit any of the crimes stipulated in the preceding Articles, this 
shall be considered an aggravating circumstance.

Article (449 ) 
A penalty of temporary imprisonment shall be i mposed on anyone who, by force or through 
threat, obtains a written instrument, a signature thereon, an amendment thereto, 
cancellation or destruction thereof.  
   
Federal Law by Decree of 2021 Promulgating the Crimes and Penalties Law  137

Article (450 ) 
A penalty of incarceration and a fine shall be imposed on anyone who, through th reat, 
compels another person to hand him over money or things other than those mentioned in 
the preceding Article.  
If the threat is to disclose or attributing disgracing or dishonouring matters to the victim, this 
shall be considered an aggravating circums tance.  
Attempt shall be punishable by half the penalty prescribed for the consummated crime.  
  
Chapter Two  
Fraud

Article (451 ) 
A penalty of incarceration or a fine shall be imposed on anyone who, by using fraudulent 
practice, assuming a false name or capac ity, takes possession for himself or for others of any 
movable property or written instrument, or obtains any signature on such instrument, the 
cancellation or destruction thereof or an amendment thereto, whenever it is intended to 
deceive the victim and b ring him to hand over such things. the same penalty shall be 
imposed on anyone who disposes of a building or a movable property while being fully 
aware that it is not his own or that he has no right to dispose thereof; or who disposes of 
such things while being fully aware that he has previously disposed thereof or concluded 
any agreement thereon, whenever such an act causes harm to others.  
If the subject of crime is a property or a written instrument pertaining to the State or to any 
of the authorities sta ted in article (5), this shall be considered an aggravating circumstance.  
Attempt shall be punishable by incarceration for a period not exceeding (2) two years or a 
fine not exceeding (20,000) twenty thousand AED. When ruling incarceration for a period of 
one year or more against a recidivist, probation for a period not exceeding (2) two years and 
not exceeding the period of the imposed penalty may be ruled.

Article (452 ) 
A penalty of incarceration or a fine shall be imposed on anyone who takes advantage of the  
Federal Law by Decree of 2021 Promulgating the Crimes and Penalties Law  138 
 need of a minor or convict of the continuity of the guardianship or tutorship thereover, or 
who, exploiting his passion or lack of experience, obtains from him a property or a written 
instrument, any signature thereon, any amendment thereto, any can cellation or destruction 
thereof, in order to harm his interest or the interest of others. Any insane, imbecile or 
interdicted person shall be treated as a minor. If the crime is committed by the tutor, 
guardian, curator of the victim or by any person havi ng authority over him or in charge of 
taking care of his interests, this shall be considered an aggravating circumstance.  
  
Chapter Three  
Breach of Trust and Relevant Matters

Article (453 ) 
A penalty of incarceration or a fine shall be imposed on anyone who  embezzles, uses or 
dissipates funds, written instruments or any other movables, in such a manner as to cause 
harm to persons entitled thereto, whenever such funds, instruments or movables have been 
handed to him by way of trust, lease, mortgage, loan for use or proxy.  
In the application of this provision, any partner in a joint property, any agent of necessity 
with respect to the property of the concerned party and any person to whom an object is 
handed to be used for a specific matter for the benefit of i ts owner or of another, shall be 
treated as a proxy.

Article (454 ) 
A penalty of incarceration for a period not exceeding (2) two years or a fine not exceeding 
(20,000) twenty thousand AED shall be imposed on anyone who knowingly takes 
possession, with in tent of appropriation, of any lost property belonging to another or of a 
property which he has acquired wrongfully or due to force majeure.

Article (455 ) 
The penalty prescribed in the preceding Article shall be imposed on anyone who embezzles 
or attempts  to embezzle a moveable property which he has previously mortgaged to secure  
Federal Law by Decree of 2021 Promulgating the Crimes and Penalties Law  139 
 the settlement of a debt due from him or from another.  
The same penalty shall be imposed on any owner who is appointed custodian of his own 
movable property that is subject to jud icial or administrative attachment, and who 
embezzles anything therefrom.  
  
Chapter Four  
Hiding Crime Proceeds

Article (456 ) 
Whoever knowingly possesses or hides any proceeds from a crime without taking part in 
committing it shall be punished with the pena lty prescribed for the crime from which he 
knows they have resulted.  
If the perpetrator does not know that such things are proceeds of a crime, but has obtained 
them in circumstances which lead him to believe that their sources are illegal, the penalty 
shall be incarceration for a period not exceeding (6) six months and/or a fine not exceeding 
(20,000) twenty thousand AED.  
The lawsuit shall expire upon the expiry of the principal crime from which such proceeds 
have resulted by conciliation.  
The court shall rule the returning such things if they are public property.

Article (457 ) 
The perpetrator, under the provisions of the preceding Article, shall be exempted from the 
penalty if he takes the initiative to inform the judicial or administrative authorities o f the 
crime from which the proceeds have resulted and of the persons who committed such crime 
before it is discovered.  
If he informs the authorities after the crime is discovered, the court may exempt him from 
the penalty if such informing has resulted in the arrest of perpetrators.  
  
 
  
Federal Law by Decree of 2021 Promulgating the Crimes and Penalties Law  140 
 Chapter Five  
Usury

Article (458 ) 
A penalty of incarceration for a period not less than one year and a fine not less than 
(50,000) fifty thousand AED shall be imposed on any natural person who deals with another 
natural person by usury interest in any kind of civil or commercial transaction, whether such 
interest is express or latent.  
Latent interest shall include any commission or benefit stipulated by a creditor, if such a 
commission or benefit has no corresponding real legal benefit or service provided by the 
creditor as a consideration.  
A principal debt and latent interest may be proved by all means available.  
If the perpetrator takes advantage of the debtor's need, weakness or passion to commit the 
crime stipulated in this A rticle, this shall be considered an aggravating circumstance.

Article (459 ) 
A penalty of temporary imprisonment for a period not exceeding (5) five years and a fine not 
less than (100,000) one hundred thousand AED shall be imposed on any natural person 
who acquires a habit of usury.  
  
Chapter Six 
Gambling

Article (460 ) 
Gambling is a game whereby each of the parties thereto agrees - in case of losing - to pay to 
the winner a certain sum of money or any other thing agreed upon.

Article (461 ) 
Whoever gambl es shall be punished with incarceration for a period not exceeding (2) two 
years or a fine not exceeding (50,000) fifty thousand AED.   
Federal Law by Decree of 2021 Promulgating the Crimes and Penalties Law  141 
 The penalty shall be incarceration or a fine if the crime is committed in a public place or a 
place opened to the public o r business premises or a house prepared and equipped for 
gambling.

Article (462 ) 
A penalty of temporary imprisonment for a period not exceeding (10) ten years and a fine 
not less than (100,000) one hundred thousand AED shall be imposed on anyone who open s 
or runs a place for gambling and prepares such a place for admission of people, and anyone 
who organizes any game of gambling in a public place or a place opened for the public or in 
any place or house prepared for such purpose.

Article (463 ) 
In all ca ses, any money or tools which may have been used in gambling shall be seized and 
confiscated. The court shall also order the closure of the premises or place designated for 
gambling, and it may not be authorized to reopen unless it is designated for a lawf ul purpose 
and after the approval of the Public Prosecution.  
  
Chapter Seve n 
Damage to Property and Crimes Against Animals

Article (464 ) 
A penalty of incarceration for a period not exceeding one year and/or a fine not exceeding 
(10,000) ten thousand AED shall be imposed on anyone who, in any manner whatsoever, 
demolishes or damages any movable or immovable property belonging to another person, 
or puts it out of use or out of service.  
The penalty shall be incarceration if the crime results in disrupting any publ ic utility or any 
facility with public benefit or in endangering people's life, safety or health.  
The penalty shall be temporary imprisonment for a period not exceeding (5) five years if the 
crime is committed by a gang of at least three persons.  
   
Federal Law by Decree of 2021 Promulgating the Crimes and Penalties Law  142

Article (465 ) 
A penalty of incarceration and/or a fine shall be imposed on:  
1. Any person who cuts down, plucks out or destroys a tree, or a graft therein, or peels it in 
such a manner as to cause its death.  
2. Any person who destroys existing crops, any plants or seede d fields or who disseminates 
any noxious substance or plant therein.  
3. Any person who damages or puts out of use in any manner any agricultural machines or 
tools.  
That is if the damaged things mentioned in the preceding Paragraphs belong to another 
person.  
The penalty shall be temporary imprisonment for a period not exceeding (5) five years if the 
crime is committed by three or more persons or by two persons one of whom is carrying 
weapons.

Article (466 ) 
A penalty of incarceration and/or fine shall be imposed  on: 
1. Anyone who deliberately and without justification kills or seriously injures a riding or 
pulling animal, a beast of burden or cattle.  
2. Anyone who destroys or poisons any fish existing in a water source place or basin.  
3. Anyone who leaves a stray animal in conditions that poses a danger to people.

Article (467 ) 
Attempt of any misdemeanour stipulated in the two preceding Articles shall be punishable 
by half the penalty prescribed for the consummated crime.

Article (468 ) 
A penalty of incarceration for a per iod not exceeding one year or a fine not exceeding 
(50,000) fifty thousand AED shall be imposed on whoever damages, relocates or removes a 
perimeter or mark intended for measuring areas, or for land settlement or demarcation of  
Federal Law by Decree of 2021 Promulgating the Crimes and Penalties Law  143 
 boundaries that divide prope rties. The penalty shall be incarceration if the crime is 
committed with the intention of usurping any of the lands referred to.

Article (469 ) 
If any of the crimes stipulated in the preceding Articles of this Chapter is committed at night 
or with the use o f violence against persons, or if the perpetrator carries weapons or takes 
advantage of the existence of riot, commotion or public disaster to commit the crime, this 
shall be considered an aggravating circumstance.

Article (470 ) 
When ruling incarceration f or a period of one year or more against a recidivist in any of the 
crimes stipulated in the preceding Articles of this Chapter, the court may rule probation for a 
period not exceeding (2) two years and not exceeding the period of the imposed penalty.

Article (471 ) 
A penalty of incarceration for a period not exceeding one year or a fine not exceeding 
(10,000) ten thousand AED shall be imposed on anyone who, deliberately and without 
justification, kills or poisons any domesticated or tamed animal other than t hose stated in 
article (466).

Article (472 ) 
A fine not exceeding (5,000) five thousand AED shall be imposed on anyone who harasses, 
tortures or maltreats a domesticated or tamed animal, as well as anyone who abstains from 
caring for such animal when he is entrusted therewith or is duly bound to take care of it.

Article (473 ) 
A fine not exceeding (3,000) three thousand AED shall be imposed on anyone who, by his 
fault, causes wounds or injuries to any animal or cattle belonging to another person, and if 
such fault causes the death of such animal, the penalty shall be a fine not exceeding  
Federal Law by Decree of 2021 Promulgating the Crimes and Penalties Law  144 
 (10,000) ten thousand AED.  
 
Chapter Eight  
Trespass on the Property of Others

Article (474 ) 
A penalty of incarceration for a period not exceeding one year or a fine not exceeding 
(10,000) ten thousand AED shall be imposed on anyone who enters an inhabited place, a 
place designated for habitation or any building annexed thereto, or a place designated to 
safeguard money or property, against the will of the concerned person, and in ca ses other 
than those stipulated in the law, as well as anyone who remains in such place against the 
will of the person entitled to drive him out, or if he conceals himself out of sight of the 
person who has such a right. The court shall p order the evictio n of the convict from the 
crime scene.  
  
Chapter Nine  
Beggary

Article (475 ) 
A penalty of incarceration for a period not exceeding (3) three months and a fine not 
exceeding (5,000) five thousand AED shall be imposed on anyone who commits the crime 
of beggary w ith the aim of obtaining a material or in -kind benefit in any form or means.  
It shall be considered an aggravating circumstance if the beggary is committed in the 
following cases:  
1. If the beggar is healthy or has an apparent source of livelihood.  
2. If the be ggar has faked injury or permanent disability, has pretended to perform a service 
for others, or has used any other means of deception and fraudulent persuasion with the 
intention of influencing others to gain their sympathy.

Article (476 ) 
A penalty of inc arceration for a period not less than (6) six months and a fine not less than  
Federal Law by Decree of 2021 Promulgating the Crimes and Penalties Law  145 
 (100,000) one hundred thousand AED shall be imposed on anyone who manages the crime 
of organized beggary that is committed by an organized group of two or more people.  
The same p enalty shall be imposed on whoever recruits persons to the State to use them in 
the crime of organized beggary.

Article (477 ) 
A penalty of incarceration for a period not less than (3) three months and/or a fine not less 
than (5,000) five thousand AED shall  be imposed on anyone who participates in the crime of 
organized beggary. It shall be considered an aggravating circumstance if the perpetrator of 
the crime of organized beggary is a tutor, guardian or carer of the beggar or has direct 
authority over him.

Article (478 ) 
When issuing a judgment of conviction, the court may order the confiscation of the seized 
objects and funds that have been used or would have been used in the crime or have been 
the subject of the beggary crime or gained therefrom; and if any  such objects or funds 
cannot be seized, the court shall impose a fine equivalent to their value, all without 
prejudice to the rights of bona fide third parties. The court shall order the deportation of the 
foreigner.

Article (479 ) 
The Public Prosecution m ay refer the accused in the crime of beggary to the competent 
entities instead of filing the criminal lawsuit, in order to provide him with social care or 
qualify him to work if he is a citizen of the State and it is established that he is compelled, or 
unable to earn money and has no other source of livelihood. Federal Law by Decree 
promulgating the Penal Code