DUBAI // Prosecutors yesterday asked the Dubai Misdemeanours Appeal Court to overturn the acquittals of AA, a Jordanian businessman, and SB, an Emirati lawyer, on charges of trying to sell nuclear-grade zirconium without permission from authorities.
The defendants were cleared by the misdemeanours court in February.
Both re-entered pleas of not guilty yesterday while the prosecution asked the court to call two witnesses so they could be cross-examined again.
The case has been adjourned until May 7 to allow time for the witnesses to be summoned.
The sale of zirconium, a substance used in nuclear reactors, is controlled by an international treaty which forbids the importing of equipment, substances or machines used in manufacturing explosives.
SB was charged with acting as a go-between in the sale of 240 kilograms of the material.
Speaking after the not guilty verdict in February, SB's lawyer, Saeed al Ghailani, said the testimony of a nuclear expert who suggested the zirconium was not nuclear-grade had swayed the case in his client's favour.
The prosecution yesterday announced its intention to again cross-examine the nuclear expert before the appeal court.
hbathish@thenational.ae
The biog
Hobby: Playing piano and drawing patterns
Best book: Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins
Food of choice: Sushi
Favourite colour: Orange
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
if you go
Getting there
Etihad (Etihad.com), Emirates (emirates.com) and Air France (www.airfrance.com) fly to Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport, from Abu Dhabi and Dubai respectively. Return flights cost from around Dh3,785. It takes about 40 minutes to get from Paris to Compiègne by train, with return tickets costing €19. The Glade of the Armistice is 6.6km east of the railway station.
Staying there
On a handsome, tree-lined street near the Chateau’s park, La Parenthèse du Rond Royal (laparenthesedurondroyal.com) offers spacious b&b accommodation with thoughtful design touches. Lots of natural woods, old fashioned travelling trunks as decoration and multi-nozzle showers are part of the look, while there are free bikes for those who want to cycle to the glade. Prices start at €120 a night.
More information: musee-armistice-14-18.fr ; compiegne-tourisme.fr; uk.france.fr
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding