A man in Fujairah will serve six months in jail after the Court of Appeal upheld his conviction for engaging in sorcery and violating his wife’s privacy by sharing her personal photos with a so-called spiritual healer via WhatsApp.
The case unfolded when the wife reported her husband to the police, accusing him of using black magic against her, their children, and her relatives. She presented as evidence WhatsApp messages and photos allegedly sent to her by a spiritual healer.
As reported by Kahleej Times citing Emarat Al Youm, the husband admitted during the investigation that he had contacted a woman on social media who claimed to be capable of casting love spells. Hoping to win back his estranged wife, he paid her Dh20,000 and sent private photos, a video of himself, and both their phone numbers.
When the woman later demanded an extra Dh25,000, which he refused to pay, she allegedly threatened to expose him. He ignored the threats and turned to two more individuals who claimed similar powers—paying one Dh10,000 and engaging with another who asked for no fee—before authorities stepped in and arrested him.
The wife, who had already left their home and filed for divorce due to abuse, said she was contacted by a woman outside the UAE who offered proof of her husband’s use of magic in exchange for Dh35,000. The woman eventually sent the evidence, which the wife used to pursue legal action.
Prosecutors charged the man with fraud and sorcery, endangering others, breaching privacy through electronic means, and illegal possession and transmission of private materials. The court classified the acts as misdemeanors under the country’s cybercrime and fraud laws.
Despite denying the allegations during the appeal, the court found the original verdict was well-supported by evidence and sound legal reasoning. The appellate court confirmed the six-month prison sentence and ordered the confiscated materials to be destroyed.
