Jail and hefty fines for begging in the streets of UAE

The UAE Public Prosecution (PP), on Monday, through a post on its social media accounts, explained the penalties of begging in the country.

The Public Prosecution pointed out that in accordance with the Article 475 of the Federal Decree-Law No. 31 of 2021 in passing the Crimes and Penalties Law, whoever commits the crime of begging by soliciting a material benefit or a benefit in-kind of any from or by means, shall be sentenced to a duration of not more than three months and fined a monetary penalty of not less than Dhs5,000.

This shall constitute a circumstance calling for a more stringent punishment, if the crime of begging is committed in the following cases: If the beggar is not physically disabled, if he/she has an apparent source of living, if the beggar had fabricated being injured with wounds or permanent disabilities, or if he/she pretends to be doing a service for others, or if he/she uses any other means of deceit in order to influence others to make them feel pity for him/her.

This comes as part of the Public Prosecution's continuous efforts to promote legal culture among members of the community and increase their awareness about the latest legislations in the country.