UAE court jails man, fines AED 5 million for inciting underage marriage

A court in the UAE has sentenced a man to three years in prison and fined him AED 5 million for publishing a video on social media, inciting underage marriage.

The Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeals’ State Security Chamber also ordered the removal of the video, the closure of his social media accounts, and the confiscation of the mobile phone used in the offence.

According to the UAE Attorney-General, investigations found that Emirati national Saif Salem Saif Ali Al Maqbali posted a video that incited calls for marriage to underage girls in Morocco, while falsely claiming such practices were permitted under Moroccan law.

Authorities said the content also included language capable of inciting hatred, sedition and discrimination, while offending the fraternal ties between the UAE and Morocco.

3-year jail term, AED5 million fine for Emirati convicted of inciting marriage to minors in Morocco via social media#WamNews https://t.co/sxweSCH9L5 pic.twitter.com/v0gXYodkIK

— WAM English (@WAMNEWS_ENG) May 20, 2026