ABU DHABI // An Emirati on trial for joining ISIL should be shown leniency because he turned himself in, his lawyer argued at the Federal Supreme Court on Monday.
Four Emiratis are charged with joining the terrorist organisation but their involvement varied and that should be reflected in their sentences, said Jassim Al Naqbi.
He said that his client, F D, 24, surrendered to authorities after realising the mistake he had committed by travelling to Syria.
“We need to set an example by containing those people and providing them with a safe alternative from the dangerous hooks of those terrorist organisations,” Mr Al Naqbi said.
“Intent to join is not enough to convict my defendant of the charges against him.”
Mohammed Al Zaabi said that his client, A Z, 22, was only in the car with his friends because he was trying to dissuade them from joining ISIL.
“The other defendants agree about my client’s small role. He was trying to help, if anything.
“He was not trying to cover up for their malicious intentions.”
Mr Al Zaabi said that his client did not drive the accused men to the airport, only to Ibn Battuta Mall.
A sentence is expected on January 10 for this hearing. There is is another hearing for 11 men – eight Emiratis, a Syrian, a Mauritanian and a Bahraini – who are also on trial for their links with ISIL.
The Bahraini, A A, 25, bought growth supplements for an accused terrorist, the court heard.
“When asked why did he bought those supplements, my client said that he did so to make some money.
“He bought them for Dh1,100 and sold them for Dh2,000,” said Mr Al Naqbi.
He pointed out that the supplements never reached the accused and asked for his client to be acquitted.
Syrian M A, 34, is accused of transferring funds to ISIL members in his homeland.
His lawyer argued that M A’s family owned a money-exchange business that was hit when war ravaged the country.
“My client wired Dh4,000 through his brother in Syria. He wasn’t aware of where the money was going,” said his lawyer, Hamdan Al Zeyoudi.
The case was adjourned until January 11.
nalremeithi@thenational.ae
