Abu Dhabi: An Emirati has been sentenced to seven years in prison for belonging to the Al Islah secret organisation, the Federal Supreme Court ruled Monday.
The defendant, M.A.S., 36, was found guilty of working with the group, which forms part of the Muslim Brotherhood.
The prosecution had earlier accused M.A.S. of working for the fund-raising committee and say he was tasked to raise and transfer money between the group members and oversee projects for the group.
The prosecution has demanded he receive the maximum punishment according to Articles 180 and 181 of the Penal Law.
Afterwards, lawyer Ali Al Manna’i introduced himself to the court as the counsel for Syrian defendant M.K.M.S., who is accused of spying for a foreign country and providing them with confidential and sensitive information that could potentially harm the UAE.
He is believed to have abused his position in trading chemicals and electronic devices to carry out the alleged crimes.
The defense arguments will be heard on March 2.
Lawyers Aref Al Shamsi and Ali Al Manna’i both argued for their client A.R.B., an Emirati, who is also accused of providing intelligence to Iranian officials at the country’s consulate in Dubai about VIPs at the Dubai Police.
Both legal consultants insisted on their client’s innocence on grounds that there is no physical evidence that can tie him to the crime.
“Security devices have been monitoring the defendant for a period of over eight years. Additionally, prosecution investigations and recordings of calls made between my client and Iranian officials do not contain proof that can implicate him in the crimes he is facing,” said his lawyer.
“A.R.B. did not know that the individuals he was dealing with were even Iranian Intelligence officials,” he added.
The consultant also said that his client did a brave job at saving the Iranian Consulate from a large fire after an Iranian arsonist tried to burn it down using a gas cylinder.
“The consulate’s relationship with A.R.B. did not exceed merely expressing gratitude and providing him with discounts at the Iranian Hospital in Dubai for medical treatment,” the lawyer said.
Finally, Al Shamsi and Al Manna’i both argued against investigations conducted at the public prosecution saying that they were performed while their client was under physical and psychological stress.
A.R.B. also spoke before the court claiming his innocence, insisting that he is a good citizen and that he sacrificed himself several times for the sake of his county’s reputation.
The defendant also stated that he captured illegal immigrants, saved the Iranian Consulate from arson and that he is the recipient of several awards and certificates for his work.
He also declared his loyalty to the UAE and its leadership and denied providing any intelligence that could harm the UAE for the sake of another country.
