UAE Law Beyond Borders: Crimes Abroad Can Still Lead to Prosecution at Home

With Emiratis travelling overseas for business, tourism, and family life, questions often arise about whether UAE laws extend beyond the country’s borders. While national laws primarily apply within a country’s own territory, the UAE Penal Code provides for extraterritorial jurisdiction in specific situations.

 

Crimes Committed Abroad by Emiratis – Article 23

Under Article 23 of the UAE Penal Code, Emirati citizens can face prosecution in the UAE for crimes committed abroad. This applies if the act is punishable both under UAE law and under the laws of the country where it occurred. However, prosecution will not take place if the person has already been acquitted or convicted by a final judgment in that country.

 

Crimes Committed Abroad by Foreign Nationals – Article 21

Article 21 allows the UAE to prosecute any person, regardless of nationality, if they commit certain offences outside the UAE. These include:

 

• Crimes against the UAE’s internal or external security, sovereignty, or constitutional structure.

• Forgery or counterfeiting of official seals, government-issued financial instruments, or stamps.

• Forgery, counterfeiting, or falsification of UAE currency, including possession or distribution.

• Premeditated murder of a UAE citizen abroad.

 

International Crimes and Drug Offences – Article 22

Article 22 extends UAE jurisdiction to any person found within the UAE who has committed serious crimes abroad, such as terrorism, human trafficking, or money laundering. It also applies to drug-related offences, whether committed as a principal or accomplice, once the perpetrator enters the UAE.

 

Partial Offences Linked to UAE Territory

If an act committed abroad is considered to have been carried out partly or fully within the UAE, it may also fall under UAE jurisdiction.

 

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