Abu Dhabi: The country anxiously awaits Tuesday’s verdict on the trial of 94 Emiratis charged with belonging to a clandestine organisation that plotted to destabilise security and overthrow the government.
Since March, the State Security Court has been hearing both sides of the trial from prosecutors and the defence team who have been involved in the trial.
During the hearings, the Public Prosecution called on the court to apply the maximum sentence of 15 years against the 94 Emiratis allegedly belonging to the now –disbanded Al Islah Society, believed to be affiliated with the Egypt-based Muslim Brotherhood group.
The Public Prosecution argued the group also sought to sow sedition, chaos and instability in the country, set up an illegal organisation under foreign instruction and support and sought to endanger citizens and residents' lives by undermining security and stability, promoting hatred among the people and fuelling sedition, hate, racism and sectarianism.
One of the main goals of the organisation “was to infiltrate the country’s educational and social institutions,” the prosecution said.
“The UAE’s justice system ensures that defendants are guaranteed fair trial without any interference by other authorities, respect of their human rights and the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty,” Dr Hadef Al Daheri, Minister of Justice told Gulf News on the eve of the verdict.
The defendants, 81 males, 10 of them tried in abstensia, in addition to 13 female suspects, have all denied the charges and stated that their patriotism lies with the country and its leaders.
The court, presided by Judge Falah Al Hajiri, will base its decision on articles 155, 160, 169, 170, 171, 180, 182 of the Penal Code, among other clauses.
