ABU DHABI // Lawyers defending men charged with terrorist offences asked a federal judge on Sunday to try younger defendants as minors and disregard confessions made after solitary confinement.
Forty-one men are on trial for belonging to an illegal organisation that planned terrorist activities, but their lawyers argued that their involvement varied and some had nothing to do with the group’s intent.
On Sunday, the federal judge heard from two lawyers who are defending 15 of the accused.
Lawyer Jasim Al Naqbi represented eight of those.
“We are all in agreement that the group started with good intentions, but when did that change? Time is of the essence here, your honour,” said Mr Al Naqbi.
He argued that the prosecution failed to establish a chronology of events that could implicate some of his clients.
A M M is accused of heading a coordination committee.
“What committee and services did my client supervise? The main evidence in this case is the weapons that were buried in the desert. Did he help with that? Was he aware of that? There is no evidence that incriminates my client or ties him to the evidence,” said the lawyer.
At an earlier hearing, prosecutors presented weapons that were found buried in Al Warqa in Dubai as evidence.
Lawyer Saeed Al Zahmi represented the other defendants.
Both lawyers wanted to have their defendants’ confessions invalidated because they were made after eight months of solitary confinement.
“Some of those defendants were as young as 17, 18 and 20. What do you expect would happen to them after solitary confinement? They’d do whatever it takes for them to end their misery,” said Mr Al Zahmi.
The lawyers also asked that some of their clients be tried as minors. Three were arrested after they reached 18.
“My client must’ve been 12 at the time those accusations against him were drawn. What role would a 12-year-old have in the crimes that are listed against him?” said Mr Al Naqbi.
The case was adjourned until January 3.
nalremeithi@thenational.ae