Prosecution calls for maximum penalty for alleged Al Qaeda cell members

The prosecution argued the nine men all confessed to charges of operating the terrorist cell, promoting jihad and recruiting for Jabhat Al Nusra, an Islamist group during its investigation.

ABU DHABI // Members of an Al Qaeda cell should be jailed for the maximum term of 25 years, the Federal Supreme Court was told on Monday.

The prosecution argued that nine men had confessed during the investigation to operating the terrorist cell, promoting jihad and recruiting and raising funds for Jabhat Al Nusra, an Islamist group fighting the regime of Bashar Al Assad in Syria.

“All defendants confessed to forming an Al Qaeda cell in the country and helping Jabhat Al Nusra. They have collected money for terrorism and have convinced people to join the front. We ask that they receive the maximum penalty of 25 years,” the prosecution lawyer, Ahmed Al Dhanhani, told the court’s State Security department on Monday.

Terrorist groups spread ideas, provide finances and give weapons to its members to spread evil through the country and take down its legitimate government. The evidence against the group is clear, he said.

The men, all of Arab origin, are also accused of spreading the goals of the Islamists on the internet and trying to recruit for them in the UAE.

“During investigations, I D [one of the defendants] said he was interested in jihad and had attended several classes throughout one week with the other defendants and members of the cell,” said Mr Al Dhanhani.

These classes were given at a mosque in Dubai, but further details were not revealed in court.

“He [I D] also said R A [the main defendant] had communication with other members in Syria and had provided them with financial aid used to fight the Syrian government.”

Mr Al Dhanhani added that I D also confessed to saving Dh500 to Dh1,500 of his monthly salary to send to Syria and said the defendant revealed the other members were doing the same.

Last week, the court heard that I D had channelled Dh100,000 to a contact in Syria, which was a separate amount.

Mr Al Dhanhani said there was enough evidence to convict them.

“The witnesses [officers from State Security] last week showed their findings of the illegal Al Qaeda cell formed in the UAE. They have shown clearly the role of each member. The reports from the electronic devices examined showed messages of the planned attack against a landmark in Dubai,” he said.

“They have violated the principles and laws of Islamic Sharia.”

Mr Al Dhanhani said two of the defendants were also being tried under new cybercrime laws where the penalty was up to five years in prison and a fine of up to Dh2 million.

Evidence presented last week included images, videos, soundtracks and documents relating to jihad and step-by-step instructions on how to make bombs, weapons, explosive belts and rockets.

Eight of the men had alleged that they were ill-treated in prison, and Judge Falah Al Hajeri asked for medical reports. They were presented to the court on Monday, and they showed they were all healthy and showed no sign of abuse.

Judge Al Hajeri also requested that the doctor who examined one of the defendants and administered anti-depressants for his mental health to give evidence.

Eight of the nine men were present at court, while the other is being tried in his absence. All now deny the allegations.

The trial was attended by two family members and a representative from the Tunisian embassy.

The next hearing was set for next Monday when the defence will present their case.