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Six members of terror cell jailed for seven years, life term for prime accused

The Federal Supreme Court also slapped a fine of Dh1 million each on two of the six imprisoned for seven years, while two others were cleared of all charges.

Six Arab nationals were sentenced to seven years in prison on Monday, while the prime accused was handed a life term in absentia for forming an Al Qaeda-linked terror cell in the UAE and threatening state security.

The Federal Supreme Court also slapped a fine of Dh1 million each on two of the six imprisoned for seven years, while two others were cleared of all charges. All convicts will be deported after serving their jail terms and fines have been paid, the court ruled.

Rafat Mohammed Harb Abu Sabha, who is on the run, was sentenced to life imprisonment. Ibrahim Antoan Ibrahim Daghir, Wadeea bin Abdul Qadir Bonni, Ramzi bin Salem Al Twatiz, Rabeea Abdul Qadir bin Suliman, Badr Nadir Mohammed Ghazawi and Yousef Ahmed Qadoora were sent to prison for seven years.

Wadeea bin Abdul Qadir and Badr Nadir Mohammed Ghazawi were ordered to pay Dh1 million in fine. The court, however, acquitted Mohammed Sohaib bin Al Hadi bin Mansour and Rushdi bin Faraj Al Firjani of the conspiracy charges brought against them.

The trial has been held since May 5 and was presided by Judge Falah Al Hajiri. Families of the defendants, representatives of human rights associations, Emirati lawyers association, jurists and representatives of the local Press witnessed the proceedings.

The men were charged with forming a cell of the Al Qaeda. They collected funds for the Al Nusra Front, which is fighting the Syrian government forces, and provided logistical support and recruited members from different sections of society for their terrorist activities.

In an earlier hearing, the prosecution called for maximum punishment for the defendants and said their larger goal was to fight the regime in Syria and create instability in the UAE.

Laptops of the members were seized during the course of the investigation which showed their involvement in acts against the state. They were charged with channeling funds to the Al Nusra outfit fighting in Syria. Websites like Al Tawheed and Al Nusra were set up to recruit new members. Another website, Sanam Al Islam (www.snam-s.net), was used for propaganda by the group.

During the hearing, defence lawyer Mohammed Al Khazraji stoutly defended one of the men and said there was no “concrete evidence” as the prosecution presented images, videos, audio clips and documents which contained incriminating information on jihad and bomb-making manuals.

“Case papers did not have audio clips, pictures or video recordings as stated by the prosecution witnesses,” Al Khazraji said. “There are no papers proving that the group sent funds to Syria.”

He argued that the money exchange agencies do not transfer money to Syria. Al Khazraji alleged his client was held in custody for six days without being interrogated. “My client was arrested on April 28, 2013, and was interrogated on May 5, 2014.”

The three lawyers representing the men in the dock called on the court to set them free.

malzarooni@khaleejtimes.com