ABU DHABI // Abu Dhabi has formed a new public prosecution to hand down community service rather than jail time as punishment for minor offences.
The new legal entity was formed in a resolution issued by the Judicial Department and its chairman, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.
It is part of an effort to enforce a federal law from last year that amended some provisions of the Federal Penal Code, reported Wam, the state news agency.
Amendments include community service as a punishment for some offences, instead of detention for a period no less than six months and a fine.
The community service prosecution will fall directly under the jurisdiction of the attorney general.
“The new legal body falls within the prosecution’s mandate to represent the community as well as to preserve its well-being and interests through enforcement of the rule of law,” said Ali Al Balushi. Abu Dhabi Attorney General.
newsdesk@thenational.ae