3,000 Dirham Fine for Woman in Abu Dhabi for Abandoning Child on the Beach

The Federal Supreme Court of the UAE overturned the ruling in the child neglect case

The case of a woman in Abu Dhabi, who was convicted for leaving a young girl alone on the beach late at night and failing to monitor her activity on social media, is being returned to the Appeals Court after several judicial proceedings.

Prosecutors stated that this woman did not take the necessary actions to protect the child. According to them, the girl also did not use a social network properly, and her images were circulated among others.

This woman's case was examined in the criminal court based on Federal Law No. 3 of 2016, known as the "Wadima Law," which protects children's rights in the UAE.

The primary court found this woman guilty and sentenced her to two months of community service and to pay court costs. However, after her appeal, the Appeals Court canceled the community service penalty and imposed a 3,000 Dirham fine instead.

This change of ruling reached the Federal Supreme Court following an objection from the Attorney General of the UAE. The Attorney General's argument was that since only the defendant had appealed the initial ruling and the prosecution had no objection to it, her punishment could not be increased at the appeal stage.

The Supreme Court accepted this argument and stated that the fine in this case constitutes a heavier penalty than the initial community service. Therefore, it annulled the Appeals Court ruling and returned the case for reconsideration and punishment determination to the same court.

This decision does not mean the end of the case or the acquittal of the woman; rather, the court must decide again on her punishment.
Source: Gulf Times