Abu Dhabi: Members of the clandestine organisation, who are standing trial on charges of plotting to overthrow the government, face sentences of up to more than 10 years in jail for violating articles 155, 160, 169, 170, 171, 180, 182 of the Penal Code, among other clauses, legal sources said.
The sources ruled out any execution and said in such an event the court would have appointed a lawyer for each defendant who might face execution.
Article 155 states that a jail term of not more than 10 years shall be inflicted if any of the following acts is committed in time of peace, and of not less than 10 years if any of the following acts is committed in time of war: 1. Any person who attempts to help a foreign state or any individual working for its interest, or who communicates with any of them to harm the military, political or economic position of the country; 2. Any person who deliberately destroys, conceals, steals, or forges papers or documents whilst being aware that they concern the security of the country or any other national interest.
However, if the crime is committed with the intent to harm the military, political or economic position of the country, or with the intent to harm its national interest, or if it is committed by a public officer or any person entrusted with a public service, this shall be considered an aggravating circumstance.
According to article 180 and 180 repeated of the Penal Code, a jail term of not more than 10 years shall be inflicted on any person who institutes, founds, organises or administers a society, corporation, association, organisation, group, gang, or a subsidiary thereof of whatever name, aiming at overthrowing, seizing, or opposing the basic principles supporting the country’s regime, or preventing any institution of the country or any public authority from exercising its functions, or attempting at the citizens’ personal or other freedom or public rights guaranteed by the constitution or law, or harming the national unity or social peace.
An imprisonment for a period not exceeding 10 years shall be inflicted on any person who joins a society, corporation, association or the organisations stated in the first paragraph of this article or cooperates therewith or participated therein in any manner or provides them with any financial or material aid whilst being aware of their purposes.
Any person who attempts by force to overthrow the government shall be punished by execution, acccording to article 174 of the Penal Code.
