Dubai: Qatar sympathisers will now be facing a jail term up to 15 years and be slapped with a fine of not less than half a million dirhams.

In a statement issued to Arabic media on Wednesday early morning, Counsellor Dr Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, UAE Attorney-General, announced that the UAE has taken a firm stance against Qatar's hostile and irresponsible policies.

“Strict and firm action will be taken against anyone who shows sympathy or any form of bias towards Qatar, or against anyone who objects to the position of the United Arab Emirates, whether it be through the means of social media, or any type of written, visual or verbal form,” said Al Shamsi.

The Federal Public Prosecution also announced that according to the Federal Penal Code and the Federal law decree on Combating Information Technology Crimes, anyone who threaten the interests, national unity and stability of the UAE will face a jail term from three to 15 years, and a fine not less than Dh500,000.

The statement further added that the Federal Public Prosecution will exercise its national duty in diligently applying the law to the perpetrators of these crimes.