Trial date set for group of 30 accused of UAE Muslim Brotherhood links

Thirty Emiratis and Egyptians accused of running a branch of the Muslim Brotherhood are to go on trial on November 5 at the State Security Court.

ABU DHABI // Thirty people accused of running a branch of the Muslim Brotherhood in Abu Dhabi are to go on trial on November 5 at the State Security Court.

Prosecutors say the accused collected donations, alms and contributions without permits to support the group financially, and formed a media commission to collect, print and distribute news, particularly from Egypt.

The group – 16 Emiratis and 14 Egyptians – are also accused of having links to a group of 94 Emiratis who were put on trial accused of plotting to overthrow the state.

Prosecutors claim that the group of 30 stole a USB memory stick from a government department that contained confidential files on the 94. The files contained the names, photographs and personal details of the 94, many of whom were later convicted and issued sentences ranging from seven to 15 years in jail.

The files also contained images, maps and information about the government department, and the group of 30 are accused of distributing that information.

However, the principal charge the 30 will face is that they established and managed a UAE branch of the Muslim Brotherhood.

Chief Justice Mohammed Al Jarrah, head of the Sharia section at the Federal Supreme Court, will oversee the trial.