Teenager who went to Syria to join ISIL ‘made dreadful mistake’

ABU DHABI // An 18-year-old on trial at the Federal Supreme Court accused of fighting with ISIL asked the judge to try him as a minor because he had travelled to Syria to join the terror group when he was only 16.

F M K was one of four Emirati men smuggled out of the UAE and into Oman before traveling to Syria. His father reported him to authorities and succeeded in persuading his son to return to the UAE and turn himself in.

“I’ve made a dreadful mistake and I’ve repented. I had no idea what I was getting myself into and was shocked at what I saw in Syria and insisted on returning,” F M K told Judge Mohammed Al Jarrah Al Tenaiji.

His lawyer, Al Fadel Al Magboul, said F M K was 16 when he travelled to Syria and 17 on his return. He called for his client’s acquittal and that leniency be taken because of his young age.

“He returned willingly. His father told the authorities of his status. What we have here is a rebellious teenager who has gone astray and did not know what he was doing,” the lawyer said.

F M K is one of 11 people – eight Emiratis, a Syrian, a Mauritanian and a Bahraini – on trial for having links with ISIL. Four are being tried in absentia.

O S O, 22, from Mauritania, allegedly provided financial aid to Abu Dujana, an ISIL member in Syria. O S O also allegedly helped three people travel to Syria to join the terrorist group. He asked the judge not to try him under the UAE’s strict anti-terrorism laws. “I was arrested a few months before the law was enacted,” he said.

Those convicted under UAE anti-terror law can face capital punishment, life imprisonment and fines of up to Dh100 million.

O S O recanted his confession, which he said was taken after a prolonged period of physical and emotional abuse.

“I never provided any logistical support to any terrorist organisations but if I’m going to be convicted your honour, can I please not be tried under the anti-terror laws,” he said.

Syrian M A A, 34, is accused of transferring Dh8,000 to ISIL members in two instalments. He told the judge he worked as a teller at an exchange company and that it was his job to transfer money to people.

“I’ve been a teller in the UAE since 2005. If I was tried for every transaction I’ve made I’d be spending all my life in jail,” he told the court. “I haven’t left the UAE since 2010. If I were financing any terrorist groups in Syria. I would’ve gone there,” he said.

A verdict is likely on January 31.