UAE adjourns case of two Emiratis accused of collaborating against the state

The State Security District of the UAE’s Federal Supreme Court has adjourned the case of two Emiratis accused of collaborating with a secret organisation against the state, official news agency WAM reported.

The ‘secret organisation’ was disbanded under the State Security criminal court’s ruling in an earlier case, which dealt with ‘opposition to the basic principles of the UAE’s ruling system with the aim of seizing power’, the report said.

According to prosecutors, one of the accused is charged with communicating with fugitive elements of the terrorist organisation, engaging in efforts to promote a terrorist ideology through the internet and attending meetings of the illegal group.

The second defendant is accused on several counts including the establishment of an organisation outside the state in 2008, leading a smear campaign against the state so as to harm its reputation and interests, and insulting leaders of a sisterly state.

The first defendant was issued a pardon during the UAE National Day in 2011 after he was convicted in the case of the ‘Emirati Dialogue Forum’ of breaking state laws, putting state security at risk and defaming state symbols, prosecutors said.

The chief of State Security Prosecution requested the court that the defendants be handed “the most severe punishment”.

The case has been adjourned to November 14, 2016, to hear the defence.