DOHA: The Legal Awareness Unit at the Centre for Legal and Judicial Studies (CLJS) of the Ministry of Justice held a workshop at Al Jumayliyah Youth Center on the dangers of electronic blackmail, within the framework of cooperation between the ministry and youth centres to develop and disseminate legal awareness, consolidate the idea of legal education, and provide the centres' members with knowledge, skills, and legal values according to a plan set by the ministry to develop and spread legal awareness.
The workshop, presented by head of the Legal Awareness Unit at CLJS Abdul Rahman Ali Malhiyah, dealt with the crime of electronic blackmail in light of the provisions of the law, and the risks it poses to the security and safety of society, as it is one of the types of modern electronic crimes. The workshop reviewed the dangers of electronic blackmail, its motives, the stages it passes through, how to avoid falling into it, and the penalties prescribed for this crime.
The lecturer introduced the centre's members to the concept of electronic blackmail as a threat and intimidation by publishing pictures or film materials or leaking confidential information related to the victim to obtain financial sums of money or exploit the victim to carry out illegal acts such as disclosing confidential information about the employer or other illicit acts.
The workshop explained the steps of the blackmail agent, emphasizing not to communicate with the blackmailer, and the necessity of reporting such incidents directly to the competent authorities, represented by the Anti-Cybercrime Center at the Criminal Investigation Department.
It also highlighted the penalties imposed on the perpetrator of the crime of extortion, as the Qatari legislator increased the punishment for extortion crimes due to their danger to the security and safety of society, through Article 9 of Law No. (14) of 2014 issuing the Cybercrime Prevention Law, and Article 325 of the law. No. (11) of 2004 promulgating the Penal Code.
