Historian charged with hate speech

dubai — A 49-year-old Emirati historian was charged in the Court of First Instance for inciting hatred and discrimination. According to public prosecution records, the researcher wrote a letter to a religious charity entity with content that could provoke discrimination and prompt hatred speech.

An Emirati advocacy and legal consultancy office owner said: “The accused presented a 25page letter to the religious entity which was written and signed in the name of the defendant. He later posted it on social media. In that memo, he incited people of his community to form an opposition front against that entity council. He raised political affairs in the region and sectorial disputes. He talked about some kind of persecution”.

During questioning, the defendant claimed he approached the plaintiff with an idea to hold a festival during Ramadan for his community people to get together with other Emiratis.

“I am a historian and a social activist. It was a three-page proposal. But few days later, a director from their side came to a wedding ceremony I was attending and told me he would complain against me to the state security and have my citizenship revoked and get me deported. It happened when more than 200 individuals were present. I later approached a higher official at the same foundation with a 27page letter calling for holding an open day for discussion,” the accused told the prosecution investigators.

The defendant’s letter was enclosed to the case file by the public prosecution. The case dates back to May 25, last year, in Al Rafaa. The court postponed the trial to May 4.

mary@khaleejtimes.com