Four men and a 17-year-old accused of joining ISIL tried in Abu Dhabi court

ABU DHABI // Five men managed to reach Syria where they became members of ISIL, a court heard on Monday.

The Emirati defendants, who include a 17-year-old, are being tried in their absence at the Federal Supreme Court.

They are among a group of 11 on trial for various charges relating to the terror group.

The other six were present in court on Monday, where they denied all their charges.

O S O, 22, from Mauritania, is accused of sending funds to Syria for ISIL member known as Abu Dujana, and of helping three other defendants flee to Syria to join the group.

He is also accused of promoting the ideals of ISIL and Jabhat Al Nusra.

Another defendant, A H M, 22, an Emirati, is accused of providing ISIL with finances, as well as helping four defendants join ISIL by helping them cross the border to Oman, where they then travelled to Turkey and then on to Syria.

He also created a Twitter account under the alias of Abu Nooh, where he published information on ISIL to promote their ideals. He also used the platform to insult the UAE’s leaders.

M A A, 34, a Syrian, is accused of receiving Dh4,000 from O S O, which he then delivered to Abu Dujana.

A A A, 25, from Bahrain, is accused of providing one of the defendants with supplements and hormones.

Two brothers, A A S, 22, and M A S, 24, are accused of knowing of the crimes and not reporting them.

Another defendant, ASN, 25, is also accused of creating and managing a Twitter account where he promoted ISIL propaganda. The defendant was not present in court to plea.

Lawyers representing the defendants requested an adjournment to prepare their defence cases.

The group are being tried under the country’s anti-terror laws, cyber crime laws, and juvenile laws.

The case was adjourned to December 7.