Home / United Arab Emirates / Homicide — murder

Homicide — murderVerified against official source

Verified against official source

This range was checked against the official legal text. Last verified: 2026-10-19.

Statutory range

Art. 384(1) — deliberate killing

Imprisonment: Life
Fine: —

Art. 384(2) — death penalty cases

Imprisonment: Death penalty
Fine: —

Premeditation / predetermination (Art. 385 definition); killing combined with another crime; killing an ascendant; killing a public servant / person in public service on duty; or poison / detonating substance.

Art. 384(3) — relatives waive Qisas

Imprisonment: 15–20 years
Fine: —

Amended by Federal Decree-Law of 8 Oct 2026 (previously: temporary imprisonment, minimum 7 years). Applies where the victim’s heirs waive their right to qisas at any stage of the proceedings or before the sentence is carried out.

Note on this entry

Art. 383: the Diya right is preserved. The Diya AMOUNT is NOT verified — never stated. Death penalty is executed only after Presidential ratification (Art. 68). Art. 1: Sharia applies to Qisas / Diya. Art. 67: Qisas / Diya are principal penalties.

Source

Statute: Decree-Law No. 31 of 2021, Arts. 383–385 + Art. 1 Sharia
Official source: uaelegislation.gov.ae
Verification status
Last verified: 2026-10-19

Not legal advice. This range is the statutory penalty as written in the law — it is not “your sentence.” What is NOT accounted for here: Priors, plea, discretion, Qisas waiver. If you face a real charge, consult a licensed lawyer in the relevant jurisdiction.