'They are all well', ambassador says of Egyptian detainees in UAE

ABU DHABI // A group of Egyptian detainees were visited by their country's ambassador yesterday.

Tamer Mansour said investigations had concluded into the 14, who are being held for security reasons at Al Wathba prison.

Their case has now been passed to the Federal Supreme Court.

During the visit, Mr Mansour listened to their pleas and was reassured about their health.

He said that during investigations, the embassy worked in cooperation with penal and correction facilities.

Mr Mansour said embassy delegates regularly visited the detainees to follow up on their requests, particularly when they had asked to give power of attorney.

"Also some have requested clothes or to communicate with their families, usual prison requests," the ambassador said.

The detainees will be referred to the court, "entrusting that it ensured all legal and human rights".

"They are all well - health wise and psychologically," he said.

The ambassador met the detainees last March and last month.

Investigators had been monitoring their movements for several years and believed they had formed their own network in the UAE, a security source told Sharjah's Al Khaleej newspaper on January 1.

State security found a close relationship between the group, who were arrested at the end of last year, and Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood.