Offences punishable by imprisonment in Qatar-Part II

Doing any of THESE things could land you in prison in Qatar.

Over a week back we told you about some of the offences that are punishable by jail time in Qatar. In the first part, we talked about food code violations, thefts and embezzlement, finding lost property; today we will continue from there. 

Coercion, threats and blackmail:

Forcing people to do something that they would normally not do is coercion. Coercion can be by force or by other means. According to Article 351 of the Qatar Penal Code. “Whoever acquires, with the use of force or menaces, a legal document with a signature thereon, receipt, quittance or a literary valuable document, a legal or social record, or compels a person by force or threat to sign, stamp or thumbprint thereof, shall be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years.” 

Similarly, blackmailing people is also illegal and an imprisonable offence. Article 352 states, “Whoever forces another with the use of threat, to deliver money or items by accusing or threatening them, or someone else, of committing a crime shall be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years. Where the crime subject of the threat involves death penalty or life imprisonment or honor, the penalty shall not exceed seven years in prison if the crime is the subject of accusation or threat.”

Impersonation: 

Article 354 states, “Whoever fraudulently or falsely impersonates another, and in such assumed character, seizes for themselves or others, movable assets, debt receipt, or cancels, spoils or modifies this bond by using fraudulent means, assuming a false name or a fake character in a way to delude the victim shall be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years.”

Selling property which is not yours:

“Whoever dishonestly or fraudulently disposes of a movable or immovable property which they have already disposed of, without having the right to do so shall be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years”, article 355 of the penal code states. 

Exploiting minors: 

“Whoever exploits a minor's passion, need or lack of experience and orders him to get movable assets, debts or bond, or to cancel, spoil or modify this bond in order to harm them or someone else shall be liable to imprisonment not exceeding three years and a fine not exceeding ten thousand ( 10.000) Qatari Riyals”, as per article 356 of the penal code, the Article further adds that: “The penalty shall not exceed five years in prison if the offender is a guardian, caretaker or keeper of the victim pursuant to the law or to a judgment or agreement.”

Check bouncing and other issues: 

The law uses the phrase ‘Whoever maliciously’ commits the following acts: 

1. Writing a check, without sufficient funds to cover it face value.

2. Withdrawing all or some of the funds from an account after giving a check in a way that leaves insufficient funds to cover the amount of the check.

3. Ordering the recipient of the check not to exchange or deposit it

4. Intending to write or sign the check in a way that prevents its exchange.

5. Delivering a due cheque knowing that it is uncovered or not exchangeable.

The usage of such phrase indicates that ‘malicious’ intent must be established first. 

In any event, the court shall decide upon the request of the concerned, to oblige the offender to pay the value of the cheque and the expenses incurred by the beneficiary;

The offender shall be punished with imprisonment for a term of no less than three months and not exceeding three years and/or a fine of no less than three thousand (QR 3.000) Qatari Riyals and not exceeding ten thousand (QR 10.000) Qatari Riyals.

Acquiring legal instruments falsely:

Article 360 of the penal code maintains that “Whoever fraudulently gets, for themselves or others, a passport, a license or any instrument issued by a public official shall be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years and a fine not exceeding ten thousand Qatari Riyals (QR 10.000).”

Crimes Committed on Animals

The penal code codifies laws for the protection of animals and aquatic life and prevent them from torture and other inhuman treatment. The articles related to animal protection are as follows: 

• Article 393: Whoever intentionally commits the following acts shall be punished with imprisonment with a term not exceeding three years and/or a fine not exceeding five thousand (QR 5000) Riyals:

- Kills or injures animal including cattle used to pull or carry goods.

- Kills using toxins, explosives, chemicals or electricity fish and other aquatic life in natural or manmade water sources.

• Article 394: Whoever intentionally, kills bees or any domestic animals of a third party shall be punished with imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months and/or a fine not exceeding two thousand (QR 2000) Riyals or any of the more severe punishments stipulated in the preceding Article.

• Article 395: Whoever commits the following acts shall be punished by imprisonment for a term not exceeding two months and/or a fine not exceeding one thousand (QR 1000) Riyals: -

- Beats or tortures a domestic or a captured wild animal.

- Exhausts an animal through riding or overloading.

- Abuse aged sick, injured, deformed animals or neglects them.

In addition to the penalty stipulated above, the court may order the animal to be taken to a specialized institution and order the perpetrator to pay the treatment costs.

If the animal is terminally ill, the court may order the animal to be put down.