Man fined Dhs20,000 for defaming company over the Internet in UAE

Abdul Rahman Saeed, Staff Reporter

Al Ain Court of First Instance ordered a man to pay Dhs20,000 as compensation to a company, after he badly and inappropriately commented on it on a Google programme, accusing it of forgery, and claiming that its officials signed blank papers and deceived customers.

The suspect was convicted of damaging the company's reputation, which resulted in harming its position in the contracting market.

The company filed a lawsuit demanding that the suspect pay Dhs60,000 as compensation for the damages it incurred, along with legal fees and expenses. The suspect was convicted based on a criminal judgment.

The company presented a copy of the criminal judgment, a certificate from the Public Prosecution stating that it was not appealed, a copy of the comment written by the suspect, and a copy of the company's commercial licence.

The court explained that it was evident from the documents and from the criminal ruling that he harmed the plaintiff's reputation on Google website.

The court ordered him to pay Dhs20,000 as compensation for all the damages incurred by the company.