Minister of Justice: 92% decrease in cases of insulting and assaulting public officials

Justice Minister and Legal Advisor Nasser Al-Samit announced a 92% decrease in cases of insulting public employees and assaulting them while performing their duties. The number of such cases dropped from 1,174 in the year prior to the implementation of the legislative amendment to just 93 in the second year of its application.

Al-Samit stated that Decree-Law No. 93 of 2024 was issued in line with the high directive of His Highness Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad, the Amir, who affirmed that “respecting security personnel is part of respecting the system of governance, and I will absolutely not allow any infringement upon their dignity and respect while they are carrying out their official duties.”

He clarified that the amendment, which entered into force on September 15, 2024, strengthened penalties for insulting public employees and for assaulting or resisting them by force or violence. It also established stronger protection for judges, members of the Public Prosecution, and personnel of the police force, the army, and the National Guard. Furthermore, it prohibited the victim from withdrawing their complaint, reaching a settlement with the accused, or granting them a pardon.

He noted that the statistics compiled by the Ministry of Interior cover incidents involving all public employees, including security personnel. The data recorded 1,174 cases during the year prior to the amendment’s implementation, from September 15, 2023, to September 14, 2024. The number then decreased to 493 cases during the first year of implementation, from September 15, 2024, to September 14, 2025, representing a 58% decline.

Al-Samit added that the number of cases continued to fall during the second year of the amendment’s application, from September 15, 2025, to September 14, 2026, reaching only 93 cases. This represents an 81% decrease compared to the first year and a 92% decrease compared to the year prior to the amendment’s implementation.

Al-Samit commended the efforts of the Ministry of Interior and security personnel, emphasizing that the achieved results reflect the synergy among state institutions in reinforcing respect for public employees while they perform their duties, safeguarding the dignity of the state, and strengthening the rule of law.