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Verdict in terror cell suspects case on December 9

The Federal Supreme Court will deliver its verdict in the case of 15 men accused of joining and funding Al Qaeda-affiliated terrorist organisations Al Nusra Front and Ahrar Al Sham Brigade on December 9.

In its plea, the defence lawyers told the State Security Circuit there is “no clear evidence” to convict their clients.

Four of the 15 accused are being tried in absentia. The public prosecutor accused the 15 people of joining, and also of collecting and transferring funds to the two terrorist organisations outside the country.

They were also accused of sending fighters from the UAE to join the fight against civilians in Syria.

Before the defence lawyers presented their case, Presiding Judge Mohammed Al Jarrah Al Tinaiji read out a document issued by the public prosecution affirming that Ahrar Al Sham is a terror movement aimed at “creating havoc and violence”.

Lawyer Mohammed Ahmad, who is representing the main defendant, Syrian M.E., 36, said there is no evidence to link his client with the terror group. He also represented two other defendants in the case as their own lawyer was unable to attend the hearing. “The defendants continuously denied the charges levelled against them. Neither the witnesses nor the prosecution gave any evidence regarding the three and I ask for their acquittal.”

Lawyer Ali Al Mannaei, representing Emirati defendant A.R., 29, said there was no “detailed report” about defendant’s connection to any terror group or act. He also claimed his client was not confronted with any evidence during the investigation.

Lawyer Jassim Al Naqbi, who is representing four defendants, said Ahrar Al Sham was not named as a terrorist group until that morning when the judge read out the prosecution’s letter.

“State Security does not identify who is classified as a terrorist group. And as far as I know, Jabhat Al Nusra and Ahrar Al Sham fight each other. How will these men be members of both groups and help both?” he asked.

He said Emirati defendant A.B., 26, who was accused of having an unlicensed gun, actually had a gun that fires blank bullets — “usually used for celebrations” — that did not require a licence.

Driven by emotions

Lawyer Saeed Al Zahmi said defendants A.R., 33, and O.R., 26, went to the UAE Embassy in Turkey after they left for Syria last year. He said the men were “driven by their emotions” to try and help others. “The law states that any person who turns himself to the authorities and lets them know of any crime is pardoned by the court. However, the two were arrested upon their arrival at the embassy,” he said. “They thought of helping others in need in Syria, but they found the situation to be chaotic and that it had been a mistake and returned home looking for safety.”

He said these men — and several others — had flawed ideas of jihad and such beliefs need to be corrected. He said even though the men travelled to Syria, they did not participate in any crime or terror act. “There are no documents to prove their whereabouts.

“We have to respect that they came back and decided to correct their mistake. This shows we need more awareness on jihad and terrorism since most young men don’t understand the concepts,” he said. “They (the defendants) are still young and they need help and education.”

‘Tricked’

Judge Al Tenaiji gave the defendants a chance to speak after the lawyers completed their defence.

A.B., 26, from Comoros Island said he had been ill-treated during his interrogation and claimed he had been tricked by the investigators. “I was told to meet a committee, and I wasn’t expected to witness a trial. I was told several men had joined a group, and I had no relation to the men other than sharing a last name. To my surprise, I found out we were all charged with being in a secret group and part of the same case,” he said.

“We are not a (terror) cell or group of any kind, and whoever went to Syria did so on their own will and I did not send anyone to fight.” M.B., 24, also from Comoros Island, who was accused of creating and successfully igniting a bomb, said they were only playing with fireworks and they did not harm anyone.

malzarooni@khaleejtimes.com