The Dubai Civil Court has ordered a man to pay more than AED 4.7 million to an investor after he misappropriated six kilograms of gold and a quantity of cryptocurrency entrusted to him under an agency agreement.

Under the ruling, the defendant is required to return AED 4.4 million, representing the value of the misappropriated assets, and pay an additional AED 300,000 in damages. He is also liable for legal interest, court fees, and other litigation expenses.

The case was previously heard by the Dubai Criminal Court. The Misdemeanor Court found the defendant guilty of breach of trust, sentencing him to three years in prison followed by deportation from the UAE, along with a fine of AED 4.4 million. This judgment was later upheld and became final.

According to case files, the investor had handed over six kilograms of gold and cryptocurrency assets to the defendant within an agency relationship, but the defendant seized the property for his own benefit. Following the final criminal conviction, the investor filed a separate civil lawsuit to recover the value of the assets and seek compensation.

The Civil Court stated that since the final criminal verdict established the occurrence of the crime and the defendant's liability, these facts are not subject to review in civil proceedings. The court's role was limited to determining the amount of damages and compensation payable.

This ruling reflects a legal principle in the UAE where the final findings of a criminal court regarding the commission of a crime and the responsibility of the perpetrator are binding on the civil court in related litigation.