Rights group says terrorism accused received a fair trial

DUBAI // The Emirates Human Rights Association (EHRA) said it was confident the trial of nine men accused of establishing and running an Al Qaeda terrorist cell was conducted fairly.

“The EHRA has been following the trials that took place in the Federal Supreme Court in Abu Dhabi regarding the nine men from different Arab nationalities accused of being part of an Al Qaeda cell linked to the Jabhat Al Nusra,” said the association’s executive director, Jamila Rashid Al Hamli.

“We are confident that these trials took place in an atmosphere of transparency and openness and the defendants throughout the trial had a chance to defend themselves individually and through lawyers, and even directly question witnesses.

“The hearings were also attended by a representative of the embassy of the Republic of Tunisia, and members of the media and civil-rights organisations.

“The judges showed open-mindedness and patience in hearing what the accused and defence had to say.

“We are confident that the conscience and impartiality of judges and their attachment to the causes of justice was their goal in this case.”

Two of the defendants were acquitted of all charges, while six were jailed for seven years. The ninth was sentenced to life in prison in his absence.

Two of the defendants sentenced to seven years were also fined Dh1 million. All of them will be deported when their sentences are completed.

“There was no external or international pressure on any aspect of the trial that we observed, or the sentencing,” said Ms Al Hamli.

“We did receive a complaint from an organisation outside the country, which I will not name, claiming that the defendants were not apprehended for terrorism but rather because of their opinions and that it was a case of freedom of speech.

“However, throughout our investigation and meetings with the defendants, their families and lawyers, none of them ever brought up the issue of freedom of speech or that they were being targeted because of their opinions.”

The EHRA will continue to monitor the well-being of the prisoners while they are in jail.

“Our job does not end with the end of the trial,” said Ali Salem Al Quishi, a board member and head of the prisoners’ committee at the association.

“We will be forming a committee to address the condition of these prisoners.”

“The physical condition of the men at the sentencing was very good,” Ms Al Hamli said. “I was surprised to see that some of them were smiling and looking very energetic.”