A gentle reminder to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the UAE: abide by the laws or risk getting caught and serving a fine.

One man who defied UAE laws was given a 10-year jail term on top of a Dh1 million fine for defaming the government via social media.

The Abu Dhabi Court of Appeals found the Emirati defendant guilty of using Twitter, Facebook and other social networking sites to upload false information and claims about the UAE seen to disrupt social harmony and unity.

The court also ordered for the man to be put on probation for three years after serving his jail sentence.

In addition, the court confiscated all devices that the accused employed in his crime and shut down websites and social media accounts used by the Emirati.

This is not the first time the accused has gained the ire of the UAE government.

In 2011, he was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment by the State Security Court for delivering speeches and lectures aimed to insult several UAE leaders

The Emirati was also convicted of purporting false reports about the UAE to international rights and political organisations.

However, he was pardoned by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.