ABU DHABI // A fugitive who was sentenced in his absence to 15 years in prison for sedition has been arrested and brought before the Federal Supreme Court.
Abdulrahman Khalifa Salim bin Subaih, an Emirati, was convicted in 2013 of being a member of a secret political organisation whose goal was to undermine the rulers and bring down the Government by trying to divert the public’s loyalty.
In total, 94 men and women were accused of establishing, organising or administering the group said to be linked to the Muslim Brotherhood. Twenty-five were acquitted, including all 13 women.
Eight men, including bin Subaih, were tried in their absence and sentenced to 15 years in prison. Of the others, 56 are serving sentences of 10 years to be followed by three years’ probation and five were jailed for seven years.
Anyone sentenced in their absence has a legal right to a retrial in person. Bin Subaih appeared in court in Abu Dhabi on Monday. The case was adjourned to April 25.
nalremeithi@thenational.ae
