Man accused of insulting UAE had comments taken out of context, says lawyer

ABU DHABI // Using social media platforms “is not a crime”, a lawyer said while defending a client accused of using them to promote the Muslim Brotherhood.

Emirati A S D, 28, is accused of establishing and running accounts on Twitter and Instagram, where he allegedly published information about the organisation to promote it, the Federal Supreme Court heard.

He is also accused of posting information and ideals on Twitter with the purpose of destroying the country’s reputation, stating it was fighting “the pious Muslim woman and hijab”, and described the UAE as having links to terrorism. It was alleged that he also publicly insulted the President.

His lawyer, Hamdan Al Zeyoodi, said his client did not commit a crime by joining the online social media networks. He also said the client doesn’t know anything about the Muslim Brotherhood, other that what was being publicly discussed on the online platforms.

In the case of the video, Mr Al Zeyoodi said A S D had republished it, and said he had written a positive post on it, claiming his wife and mother are both veiled and that that video insults the UAE.

Mr Al Zeyoodi said the picture of the President that was alleged to be insulting has been taken out of context.

He said the picture was of Sheikh Zayed, the founder of the UAE, and that people had attacked the ruling family in the comment section, where his client was only defending them.

Mr Al Zeyoodi requested the re-examination of A S D’s electronic devices. The case was adjourned to November 23, when a verdict will be announced.