Dozens convicted by UAE court for Islamist links

A UAE court on Monday issued a series of sentences against dozens of suspects with links to Islamist groups across the region, including al-Nusra Front and the Muslim Brotherhood.

MENA

2 min read

The New Arab

14 June, 2016

Security forces have disrupted Islamist cells within the Gulf state [AFP]

Dozens of suspects affiliated with a range of Islamist groups faced stern punishments by an Emirati court on Monday.

One of the suspects - described only as an 'Arab citizen' - received a five year sentence for links to Syria's al-Qaeda affiliate, al-Nusra Front and is expected to be deported following the prison term.

Four others "of Arab, American and European nationality" were given one year each "for not informing the authorities about the activities" of the first man, the official WAM news agency reported.

Meanwhile, another man was imprisoned for a shorter three-month term for illegal possession of a firearm.

The Federal High Court which delivered the verdict also convicted dozens more in a case relating to the Muslim Brotherhood.

The men, identified as fifteen Yemenis and four Emiratis, were charged with "forming a Muslim Brotherhood cell and collecting financial contributions" for the outlawed organisation.

The UAE, along with Egypt and Saudi Arabia has in recent years pressured the British government to lean towards labelling the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organisation in an investigation looking into the group.

The UK's commissioned review concluded last year that the Muslim Brotherhood was not a terrorist organisation, however it said that membership or association with the organisation was a "possible indicator of extremism".