Dubai Misdemeanour Court has convicted a young Arab man for publicly defaming and insulting a nurse through a “Google Review,” leading to a Dhs5,000 fine. However, the sentence has been suspended for three years. The court also ordered the confiscation of his phone and the removal of the offensive review from the website.
According to a Gulf Today report, the case began when an Arab nurse, employed at a medical fitness centre in Al Karama, reported that she was subjected to verbal abuse and false accusations while performing her duties. According to her complaint, the incident occurred while she was drawing a blood sample from the suspect, part of a routine procedure for renewing his health card.
Following the encounter, the nurse learned through a colleague that the young man had posted a defamatory review, accusing her of being unskilled and falsely suggesting she was under the influence of alcohol or drugs while on duty. The review was written in both Arabic and English, targeting the medical centre and the nurse’s professionalism.
A subsequent investigation by Dubai’s General Department of Criminal Investigation identified the individual behind the review. When questioned, the suspect admitted to the allegations, explaining that he had posted the review after experiencing discomfort during the blood test. He claimed the nurse’s handling of the procedure caused bleeding in one hand, prompting him to write the negative review.
Following his confession, the court found him guilty of defamation and ordered the removal of the offensive review. The nurse’s name was cleared, and the court’s decision highlighted the consequences of using online platforms to spread false accusations.