Abu Dhabi court reviews four national security cases

abu dhabi — The Abu Dhabi Court of Appeal heard four separate national security and extremist ideology related cases on Wednesday morning, with verdicts scheduled to be issued on February 7, 2018.

In the first case, seven Emirati citizens were accused by the State Security Prosecution of promoting Daesh and following its ideology, as well as firearms possession.

The first and major indictee was accused of posting social media websites and pages sharing images, videos and information about Daesh, thus promoting their ideology.

The other six indictees are accused of not reporting their colleague and his actions to the authorities, when they knew he was violating the law.

The prime accused’s lawyer, asked for the case to be postponed, in order for all the case files to be seen. The judge assented, also to allow for the other six indictees to be allotted attorneys as they cannot hire their own.

In the second case, 11 Syrian men — 9 of whom were present in court; the other two have absconded — were accused of making social media posts and sites supporting and promoting terrorist groups. They also posted fake news that affect the UAE and its ties with other GCC countries. The four attorneys defending them asked to postpone the case and call for witnesses.

The third case saw an Emirati accused of adopting and promoting extremist thoughts and Daesh ideologies. The man claimed his innocence. The prosecution asked that he be reffered to Munasaha rehabilitation, a counter-radicalisation programme in Saudi Arabia.

A 25-year-old Emirati national was accused, in the fourth case, of insulting and libel of the country’s top figures, on social media.

His defence lawyer stated that his client was under the influence of alcohol and committed the offences in an “incorrect mental state”. All four cases have been adjourned to February 7.