ABU DHABI // Witnesses told the Federal Supreme Court on Monday that a Kuwaiti Muslim Brotherhood member played a major role in promoting the organisation in this country.
K F A is accused of cooperating with members of the UAE’s Muslim Brotherhood branch who were convicted in 2012 of attempting to overthrow the Government.
The court was told the 46-year-old communicated with and collected finances from members to create a TV channel called Hayatona – Arabic for Our Life.
He also allegedly allowed Muslim Brotherhood members to be interviewed on Al Bedaya TV, the Kuwaiti channel where he held a managerial position.
Witness O S, an officer from state security, said investigations found the defendant had been a member of the Kuwaiti Muslim Brotherhood since 1980. He had supported members in the UAE by providing publicity and financial aid.
“He collected 250,000 Qatari riyals (Dh252,000) from charity organisations to establish the Hayatona channel,” O S said.
“In 2005, he started a relationship with the Brotherhood members in the UAE through A D, one of the members. The purpose of this relationship was to highlight his role in the media, by first hosting him on the Al Bedaya channel,” he said.
The defendant also played a major role in choosing the name of Hayatona, O S said.
“He was the one who guided members and gave them advice. However, during investigations he said he only wanted to help and did not want financial compensation from members.”
The defendant’s lawyer, Abdulqader Al Haithami, called for another witness to take the stand. Judge Falah Al Hajeri agreed and adjourned the case until September 7.
aalkhoori@thenational.ae
