‘Extremists’ facing trial demand acquittal

ABU DHABI // Many of the men accused of trying to set up an ISIL-like caliphate on Monday demanded to be “immediately acquitted” in the Federal Supreme Court.

Forty-one men are on trial for creating an illegal organisation called Shabab Al Manara with aims to overthrow the Government and establish an extremist state. Three of them are being tried in their absence.

Eight lawyers will be defending the majority of the defendants, while the court will provide lawyers for the defendants who do not have the means to hire defence lawyers. The court cannot request pleas from the defendants without their lawyers present.

Judge Falah Al Hajeri listened to requests from the lawyers who mainly asked for their clients to be moved to an official prison instead of being held in a temporary one, and the possibility of bail.

Defendants were also given the chance to speak. They demanded to have visiting rights for their lawyers and family members. Some others also requested to see a medical practitioner. Judge Al Hajeri said these requests are allowed by law, and they are the defendants’ rights. The majority requested to be left on bail “with any guarantee asked by the court” or to be “immediately acquitted”.

The hearing was attended by 31 male and 17 female family members. It was adjourned to October 26.