Abu Dhabi: The State Security Court in the Federal Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a number of appeals filed by a group of convicts previously sentenced by the Abu Dhabi Court of Appeals in cases related to state security. The court issued final judgments against the convicted.

The court upheld the lower court’s 10-year prison term and Dh1 million fine for Saad T.M.S.M, 50, an Emirati.

The court also confirmed the confiscation of all communications and computer equipment and putting the convict under security surveillance for three years.

The defence lawyers, Yusuf Al-Ali and Hamdan AlZeyoudi, submitted their memoranda to defend the appellant demanding his acquittal, the nullification of the prosecution procedures, the procedures of the investigation and the evidence-gathering process.

The presiding judge Falah Al-Hajeri also allowed the appellant to defend himself before the final verdict.

The Emirati appellant pleaded not guilty to all the charges against him and insisted on the invalidity of the investigation procedures and the collection of evidence.

The State Security Prosecution has accused the man of setting up several accounts on social media (Twitter and Facebook) and disseminating false and misleading information that promotes ideology of terrorist organisations Daesh and Ansar Al Sharia in Yemen and encouraged young people to join them for terrorist purposes.

The Court of Appeals also condemned the publication of articles and false information that tarnish leaders and foreign policy of a friendly country. The court convicted him of violating Federal Law No. 5 of 2012 on combating cybercrime

In the second case, the State Security Court rejected the appeal filed by Y.S.A, A.S.A, B.A. S. and M.A.

The men had their 10-year prison term each upheld.

The court also confirmed Dh1 million fine for each of the first two men, while the third and fourth had their Dh6,000 fine each upheld for setting up accounts on social media to promote terrorist organisations, encourage young people to join them and the dissemination of false information and video clips and media materials that damage the reputation and prestige of the UAE and its foreign policy in violation of Federal Law No. (5) of 2012 on combating cybercrime.

In the third case, the court rejected the appeal filed by an Emirati, A.M.M. H., and a citizen of a Gulf country, S.M.A., who had their 10-year prison term upheld.

The men were each fined Dh1 million and the second man was sentenced to deportation following serving his term. They were condemned for spying for Iran.