Emirati fined Dh1 million, jailed for publishing fake news

Abu Dhabi - On the other hand, the court acquitted him of the charge of cooperating with extremist organisations.

The Union Supreme Court has rejected the appeal of 49-year-old Emirati Ahmed Mansour Al Shahi, who was convicted of publishing and sharing fake news.
The State Security Court upheld the Appeal Court's decision that sentenced him to 10 years' imprisonment and a fine of Dh1 million, after it found him guilty of spreading false stories and information that were detrimental to the country and its foreign policies.
He will remain under court supervision for three years once he starts serving his sentence.
Additionally, the court ordered to seize all the communication equipment that he used in the crime; delete all the content he had produced; and shut down the websites that published them. The convict was also obliged to pay legal fees.
On the other hand, the court acquitted him of the charge of cooperating with extremist organisations. The Union Supreme Court's decision is a final judgement and not subject to appeal.
In May 2018, the Abu Dhabi Union Appeal Court sentenced Al Shahi after it was proven that he used social media, particularly Twitter and Facebook, in violation of the law. He was found to have published fabricated news.
He appealed the judgment in the Union Supreme Court, and after five sessions, the court rejected the appeal and upheld the decision.
malzarooni@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai