Court adjourns hearing in outlawed outfit case to May 2

ABU DHABI: The State Security Chamber of the Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal has decided to adjourn to 2nd May 2024 the hearing in Case No. 87 of 2023- State Security Offences, involving the terrorist ‘Justice and Dignity Commitee’ Organisation, in order to complete hearing the defence pleas and the defendants’ response to the prosecution’s response.

Eighty-four defendants stand accused in this case of establishing and managing a clandestine terrorist organisation in the UAE known as the ‘Justice and Dignity Commitee’. The charges against them include planning terrorist acts, fundraising for the Organisation, and concealing the source and destination of those funds.

In yesterday’s session, atended by the defendants’ families and media representatives, the court heard over three hours of defence arguments, during which the lawyers for the accused argued that the court lacked jurisdiction due to a prior judgment in a previous case, i.e., Case No. 79 of 2012. This formed a fundamental aspect of their defence strategy, which all defendants endorsed. They also challenged the validity of the charges presented by the Prosecution and contested the evidence submited.

In response, the prosecution reaffirmed their position as articulated in the opening statement. The prosecution representative contended that the current charges are materially distinct from those in the prior case, as they involve demonstrably criminal actions. These constitute a separate offence under the principle of material plurality. Notably, the financing of a terrorist organisation was not encompassed in the previous trial.