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

Justice Minister and Counselor Nasser Al-Samit announced a 92 percent decrease in cases of insulting public officials 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 on their dignity and respect while they are carrying out their official duties.”

He explained that the amendment, which came into force on September 15, 2024, strengthened penalties for insulting public officials 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 the complaint, reaching a settlement with the accused, or granting them a pardon.

Al-Samit noted that the statistics compiled by the Ministry of Interior cover incidents involving all public officials, including security personnel. The data recorded 1,174 cases during the year preceding the amendment’s implementation, from September 15, 2023, to September 14, 2024. This number then fell to 493 cases during the first year of implementation, from September 15, 2024, to September 14, 2025, representing a 58 percent decline.

He added that the number of cases continued to decrease 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 percent drop compared to the first year and a 92 percent 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 officials while they perform their duties, safeguarding the dignity of the state, and strengthening the rule of law.