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Judicial Dept denies report on penalty waiver in adultery cases

The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department has refuted a report published by a local English daily about a proposal by the Abu Dhabi courts to drop the charge in adultery cases if the couples involved agree to marry.

The department said in statement on Saturday that courts are here to execute the laws, and they do not have the power to legislate or amend laws.

The ADJD also denied the claim reported by the local daily that the Abu Dhabi courts, through such a proposal, aim to ease the workload in courts and reduce penalties.

The ADJD said that the penal code did not list ‘marriage’ as one of the conditions for waiving the penalty.

The crime, in such circumstances, happens in a time period prior to marriage and without a legal (Islamic Shariah) bond.

On December 6, the local English paper carried a news report headlined ‘Abu Dhabi courts consider marriage in lieu of punishment’.

The report said that couples charged with having extramarital sex could avert trial by getting married in a plan being considered by the Abu Dhabi Judiciary Department.

The department called on the media to focus on accuracy while handling legal and judicial matters. — news@khaleejtimes.com

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