Verdicts on 94 accused of plotting Islamic coup
Source: Agencies |
July 3, 2013, Wednesday
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Print Edition
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MORE than 65 suspects accused of plotting an Islamist coup in the United Arab Emirates received prison sentences of up to 15 years yesterday in a mass trial that underscored widening crackdowns on perceived Arab Spring-inspired dissent across the entire Gulf Arab region.
Rights groups have accused the UAE of widespread violations including jailhouse abuses against the 94 suspects on trial. The suspects included teachers, lawyers and even the cousin of one of the UAE's rulers.
Authorities have rejected the claims and have moved ahead with further arrests, targeting suspected groups linked to Islamist networks such as Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood.
The UAE - which allows no political parties ? has not faced any street protests or direct pressures since the Arab Spring uprisings began in the region more than two years ago.
But Western-backed officials have turned their attention to suspected Islamist cells and online activists who have called for a greater public voice in the tightly controlled country.
Prominent rights activist Ahmed Mansoor ? jailed in some of the first UAE crackdowns after the Arab Spring ? said prison terms of 15 years were given to eight suspects tried in absentia.
Ten-year sentences were handed to 60 others, including Sheikh Sultan bin Kayed al-Qasimi, who was head of a group known as al-Islah, or Reform. He is a cousin of the ruler in Ras al-Khaimah, the northernmost of the UAE's seven emirates.
At least 26 of the suspects were acquitted, Mansoor said.
Security was tight around the court with many foreign journalists, family members and observers blocked from the session.
The Abu Dhabi-based newspaper The National reported that chants of "Allahu Akbar," or God is Great, came from defendants and some relatives as the verdicts were read.
Rights groups have accused the UAE of widespread violations including jailhouse abuses against the 94 suspects on trial. The suspects included teachers, lawyers and even the cousin of one of the UAE's rulers.
Authorities have rejected the claims and have moved ahead with further arrests, targeting suspected groups linked to Islamist networks such as Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood.
The UAE - which allows no political parties ? has not faced any street protests or direct pressures since the Arab Spring uprisings began in the region more than two years ago.
But Western-backed officials have turned their attention to suspected Islamist cells and online activists who have called for a greater public voice in the tightly controlled country.
Prominent rights activist Ahmed Mansoor ? jailed in some of the first UAE crackdowns after the Arab Spring ? said prison terms of 15 years were given to eight suspects tried in absentia.
Ten-year sentences were handed to 60 others, including Sheikh Sultan bin Kayed al-Qasimi, who was head of a group known as al-Islah, or Reform. He is a cousin of the ruler in Ras al-Khaimah, the northernmost of the UAE's seven emirates.
At least 26 of the suspects were acquitted, Mansoor said.
Security was tight around the court with many foreign journalists, family members and observers blocked from the session.
The Abu Dhabi-based newspaper The National reported that chants of "Allahu Akbar," or God is Great, came from defendants and some relatives as the verdicts were read.
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