Court orders companies to pay fines of up to QR 50,000 for failing to install security cameras

NT Bureau

DOHA: A court in Qatar has ordered a group of commercial establishments to pay fines ranging from QR50,000 to QR 10,000 for failing to comply with laws that require them to install security surveillance systems in their premises.

The court observed that the action of the companies is a violation of Article 2 of Law No. (9) of 2011 concerned with regulating the use of security cameras and surveillance devices. The law states that facility owners and those responsible for their management must install cameras and security surveillance devices and operate them round the clock, provided that these devices and equipment must have their own control room.

Inspectors, during field visits in various regions of the country, found a number of commercial establishments that did not comply with installing security monitoring devices according to the instructions issued to them in advance.

Accordingly, reports of violations were registered against them and legal procedures were started after sending notices and warnings.

In addition to the prescribed penalty, the court may, depending on the circumstances, order the suspension of the license to practice the activity for a period not exceeding one year or its cancellation.

Inspectors with judicial powers conduct field visits to various commercial establishments with the aim of ensuring that security surveillance systems are installed because of their utmost importance in preserving private and public property.