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94 on trial for plotting to seize power

ABU DHABI - The trial of 94 people, including 13 women, who face charges of plotting against the state with help from a foreign group, began under tight security at the Federal Court in Abu Dhabi on Monday.

It was presided by Falah Al Hajri, Chief of the State Security Circuit at the Supreme Federal Court, who posted the next hearing for March 11 after procedural issues were taken up over six hours.

A Ministry of Interior release said the hearing was to “confirm the attendance of the defendants along with their respective defence lawyers”.

According to the statement, the Public Prosecution read out the charges against the defendants and asked the court to hand down to the defendants the penalties stipulated under the law. The defendants denied the charges.

Security officials arrested the suspects over the past year for their alleged ties to a foreign organisation and for receiving funds for their illegal activities.

“The State Security Department of the Federal Supreme Court, today, Monday 4^th March 2013, held its first session to consider the case of the 94 individuals charged with belonging to a secret illegal organisation, which was uncovered through investigations, and which aims to oppose the basic principles of the State’s system of government in order to seize power, as well as with contacting foreign groups and entities with the aim of executing this plan,” the Ministry of Interior statement read.

On Monday, 84 of the accused were present in court, while the remaining 10 are on the run and will be tried in absentia.

94 on trial for plotting to seize power Family members of the defendants, representatives of the UAE Human Rights Association, the UAE Legal and Lawyers Association, the UAE Journalists Association, the UAE Writers Association, the Social Workers Association as well as representatives of local news organisations attended the hearing.

The men were dressed in blue and looked in good health, while the women defendants were seated with their families. A glass barrier separated them.

For two hours, defence for the accused presented their demands, with one suspect even asking for his spectacles, which he had left behind in his cell.

One of the accused, A.G., called for the extremist organisation to be disbanded and said he was no more a member. He also sought protection from the court for his life and that of his family.

“The court confirmed that all guarantees for the defendants which are stated in the constitution and law, in accordance with the highest standards to ensure a fair and just trial, are being provided,” according to Wam.

Dr Anwar Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for FNC Affairs and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, hailed the judicial process and tweeted: “The trial has been conducted according to rules of the country and as per the law.”

malzarooni@khaleejtimes.com