Citizenship case of seven Emiratis adjourned until October 8

Abu Dhabi: The cases of seven Emiratis, stripped of citizenship for posing security threats, have been adjourned until October 8, the Abu Dhabi Federal Appeals Court ruled on Monday.

The Ministry of Interior presented its defence demanding that appeals of the seven men be rejected and that they pay legal fees.

Sara Al Shamsi, lawyer of the Interior Ministry, presented originals of two presidential decrees, revoking citizenship of the men to the court, because lawyer of the defendants questioned copies of these decrees submitted earlier to the lower court.

Abdul Hamid Al Kumaiti, lawyer of the defendants, demanded more time to get in touch with Dr Mohammad Al Rokn, also defending the men, who is detained for another case.

The Chief Justice, Eisa Al Jaabir, adjourned the case until end of the first week of October.

The Federal Court of First Instance rejected the case, because it does not come under its jurisdiction, while the seven appealed to the Federal Appeals Court.

In December, the UAE revoked their citizenship on grounds the seven posed a threat to the UAE’s national security.

The seven, who had been detained for refusing to seek alternative citizenship, did not attend the hearing because it is an administrative case, which makes it mandatory for litigants to appear in court only in criminal lawsuits.