Abu Dhabi to hold first trial of 30 suspects accused of being part of the Muslim Brotherhood

The Federal Supreme Court in Abu Dhabi will hold the first trial session on Tuesday for 30 accused of being members of the Muslim Brotherhood.

The suspects are accused of secretly establishing a branch for the Muslim Brotherhood organisation in the UAE and raising funds and resources to support the mother organisation in its country of origin. Accusations also include posting photos and information about a UAE security institution.

The list of suspects includes 10 Emiratis and 20 Egyptians of which the whereabouts of six are unknown and so are being tried in absentia.

Al Ittihad, the Arabic language sister paper of The National, reported the first session will include stating the names of suspects and the respective accusations and assigning lawyers.

Last January, security authorities announced that monitoring and investigation operations led to the capture of a cell that includes the Muslim Brotherhood leadership in the UAE.

Suspects were implicated in establishing and running a branch for the global Muslim Brotherhood organisation in the UAE. Security authorities were able to monitor the administrative operations to develop and support the branch by attracting new recruits and providing financial and logistical support for the mother organisation and other branches by way of illegal donations.

Informed judicial sources told Al Ittihad that there was a connection between the suspects of the Brotherhood Cell case and the members of the secret organisation that were convicted last July.