Abu Dhabi: Tuesday’s verdict came as a shock to the suspects who, only one hour before the announcement was made, seemed at ease and confident that the trial’s outcome would be in their favour.
As representatives from the media, the Emirates Human Rights Association and other social organisations made their way into the courtroom at 9am, the male suspects were smiling and laughing behind the glass panel while eating sandwiches that were provided by the court’s security guards.
While the defendants waved at their families in the courtroom, their relatives seemed tense as they looked back at them sombrely.
The number of security personnel assigned throughout the courtroom was the most ever seen throughout the 13 trials. More than a dozen female riot police officers stood among the female defendants and several rows of seats were filled by federal security officers.
Before the session started, the male defendants held up placards that reflected their optimism about the verdict. One of the first suspects to stand up showed a signboard that read, “We love you, citizens of the UAE,” which was written in the colours of the country’s flag — red, black and green. To show their respect for the court and the confidence they had in the judicial system, two suspects loudly asked their relatives and friends to be quiet and not to display any reaction after the judge announced the verdict.
“We accept any verdict that will be passed, and we trust our judicial system, and we believe in Allah and His fairness,” a suspect cried out.
The 13 women, who were also accused of belonging to the now disbanded Al Islah organisation, sat quietly as they anxiously awaited the verdict.
Presiding Judge Falah Al Hajiri made his way into the courtroom at 10.05am. The courtroom remained silent and in awe as the judge began reading out the names of the 25 suspects who were found not guilty, as well as the names of the eight suspects who were tried in absentia and handed a 15-year-sentence each.
When Judge Al Hajiri delivered the 10-year prison sentence against the 56 suspects, a mother’s cries rang through the hall. The session ended at 10.40am.
