UAE charges more than 80 suspects with terrorism offences

Accused planned 'violence and terrorism on UAE soil', prosecutors say

Attorney General Dr Hamad Al Shamsi has referred 84 defendants to court on terrorism charges. Wam

The Public Prosecutor has referred 84 defendants to Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal, otherwise known as the State Security Court, for trial on terrorism charges.

Most of the defendants referred to the court by Attorney General Dr Hamad Al Shamsi were said to be members of the Muslim Brotherhood.

The charges refer directly to establishing “another clandestine organisation for the purpose of committing acts of violence and terrorism on UAE soil”, according to state news agency Wam.

“The defendants had concealed this crime and its evidence before they were arrested and tried in the Case No (17) of 2013 – State Security,” Wam reported.

“Acting on a body of evidence gathered by investigation, the Attorney General ordered a probe into the details of this crime, with legal representation assigned for each suspect.

“After nearly six months of investigation yielding sufficient evidence of its commission, the Attorney General referred the defendants for trial.”

Proceedings have begun, with lawyers appointed for defendants who did not have representation.

The court has also begun hearing from witnesses in the case and the public trial procedures are continuing.