The jewellery brand claimed this act damaged the company's reputation.
A 26-year-old man has been fined Dh250,000 for allegedly posting remarks and images on social media that defamed a leading Indian jewellery brand. The Dubai Court of First Instance also ordered the defendant's deportation.
The images and remarks posted by the defendant gave the impression that the jewellery group's employees celebrated the independence day of a neighbouring country.
The court issued the verdict in absentia against B.P.A for the alleged cybercrime. While the company claimed that it had withdrawn the case after getting a confession and an unconditional apology from the defendant, the Dubai Public Prosecution went ahead with the charges.
A legal translation of the court verdict from Said Fouchal Legal Translation Services said the court issued the verdict on Monday, along with instructions to delete the photos and close the defendant's FB account for one year. The judgment is subject to appeal.
The Dubai Police had arrested the youth, who hails from Thrissur, Kerala, in August 2016, after their investigation found that he posted manipulated images of Pakistan National Day celebrations held at a money exchange. He also posted a message appealing to people to boycott Malabar Gold and Diamond products.
The jewellery brand claimed this act damaged the company's reputation.
The image of a cake - engraved with the Pakistani flag - being cut was allegedly spread by rival businesses to malign the company's brand image and reputation, according to earlier reports about the controversy. Malabar Gold quickly distanced itself from the images that went viral on social media and filed a police complaint in Dubai against the alleged social media misuse.
Shamlal Ahmad MP, managing director of international operations for Malabar Gold and Diamonds, said in a statement to Khaleej Times that the verdict is a strong warning to social media abusers who use public platforms to defame individuals and companies. Such actions attract strict punishment in the UAE, he said.
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