Dubai: Doha has become a training hub to undermine the UAE’s security and stability, according to a documentary that was broadcast Friday by local television channels in the UAE.
Confessions
The 30-minute episode entitled, “Qatar’s terrorism support files,” featured the confessions of Eisa Khalifa Al Suwaidi, a former member of the Muslim Brotherhood, who was a senior member of the organisation’s “Majlis Shura Al Jama’a,” or the advisory board.
Al Suwaidi spoke in detail about Doha’s support for questionable organisations with direct and indirect links to international groups that were active in training youths, including Emiratis, to destabilise security in their respective countries.
Documentary
The documentary also showed a video of a fugitive Emirati member of the secret organisation who incited the trainees to act against the UAE and its symbols, and called for regime change.He affirmed that the group’s members who fled currently reside in Doha or were granted safe passage through Doha to other countries.
Al Suwaidi said Qatari national, Mahmoud Al Jeeda, provided financial and moral support to the fugitives in Doha.
He also dismissed claims that Al Jeeda was tortured in UAE custody.
“In fact, he was treated well and was allowed to call his family and meet with the Qatari ambassador,” he said.
Convicted
Al Jeeda was convicted for being a member of a secret organisation and sentenced to seven years in prison, followed by deportation.
He was pardoned and released before the completion of his sentence.
However, after returning to Doha, he claimed he was tortured in UAE prison.
The reports come amid a massive diplomatic crisis in the region.
In June, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain severed diplomatic relations with Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorism.
Since then, the four states have imposed a sea, land and air embargo on Qatar and presented a list of demands for Doha to act on or face further sanctions.
