ABU DHABI: A new body called the Federal Public Prosecution for Information Technology (IT) Crimes, has been established, the UAE Attorney-General, Dr. Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, announced.
The new department, which will have its headquarters in the nation’s capital, will specialise in criminal cases involving the use of Information Technology, including the investigation of and resolution of such cases.
Among these will be cases of misuse of the Internet with the intention of:
- Damaging public morals,
- Trafficking in persons,
- Illegal activity relating to arms, ammunition and explosives,
- Raising of funds,
- Calling for or abetting the breach of the laws of the state and
- Organisation of marches or other demonstrations.
Religious Offences: The department will also be responsible for handling cases involving the insulting of God, His prophets and matters considered holy in Islam, together with insults aimed at matters considered holy to other religions recognised under Islamic Sharia law, as well as the rituals of these faiths.
Other religious topics within the jurisdiction of the department include opposition to the religion of Islam and its practices and rulings, proselytisation on behalf of other religions and the promotion of sinful behaviour, said Wam.
Drugs Crimes: In other fields, the department’s jurisdiction will cover dealing in and the promotion of narcotics and psychotropic drugs and their precursors, the facilitation of the illegal use of such substances.
Money Laundering: The transferring, transporting, depositing, storing or concealing the origins of any illegal funds, with the purpose of hiding their source, and trafficking in, possessing, acquiring and using such funds.
The Attorney General noted that the establishment of the new department was evidence of the strategy of the Public Prosecution to monitor criminal phenomena, to counter and deter them in a constitutional and legal manner, and to curb the negative impact of the abuse of modern technology on the UAE’s value systems, its progress, and on the social and economic interests of both the state and individuals.
He praised the Minister of Justice, who is also chairman of the Supreme Federal Judicial Council, and the members of the Council for their quick response to the proposal to create the new public prosecution department.
The approval of the proposal was in line with the Ministry of Justice’s strategy for sustainable development and its objective of to promote specialisation in various fields to maximise the capabilities of the criminal justice system, to achieve the interests of the country and its citizens and residents through an effective structure for legal protection, he added.
– By Rajive Singh