Dubai: A defence lawyer, who represented some of the 94 Emirati suspects involved in the sedition case, said on Tuesday that judgements are not meant to be commented on.
“The UAE State Security Court acquitted some suspects and indicted others… the judgement is the essence of truth. We do not comment on rulings that are handed out by the UAE judiciary, which we trust and are fully confident that it’s impartial,” advocate Jasem Al Naqbi told Gulf News on Tuesday.
Al Naqbi said his role as a lawyer ended after presenting his verbal defence and producing his closing argument in writing to the court.
In his capacity as an Emirati citizen and not as the defendants’ lawyer, Al Naqbi told Gulf News: “I personally plead for mercy asking The President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, as a father and a ruler, to pardon the defendants in sympathy for their families.”
Al Naqbi, who was appointed to defend three suspects who were acquitted of attempting to overthrow the government, spoke to Gulf News while heading to finalise the release procedures for the innocent suspects.
“No one can give feedback on the verdicts. It is not logical to question the court’s verdicts or decisions because it has always been characterised by its transparency and objectivity and I have absolute confidence in the integrity of the justice system within the UAE,” he said.
No comments could be got from the rest of the defence lawyers.
With additional inputs from Sara Sabry, Abu Dhabi Staff Reporter
