The Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeals’ State Security Chamber sentenced an Emirati national to three years in prison and fined him Dh5 million for allegedly using social media to incite child marriages in Morocco.
Authorities identified the defendant as Saif Salem Saif Ali Al Maqbali.
The court also ordered the deletion of the offensive video, the closure of the defendant’s social media accounts, and the confiscation of the mobile phone used in the offense.
According to state media reports, the UAE Attorney-General referred the defendant to an expedited trial after investigations found that he had published videos allegedly encouraging marriage to underage girls in Morocco.
Investigators said the defendant falsely claimed Moroccan laws permitted such practices.
Authorities further alleged that the content used rhetoric capable of provoking sedition, hatred, and societal discrimination while damaging relations between the Emirati and Moroccan peoples.
The court described the acts as a serious violation of UAE laws and deeply rooted societal values.
