ABU DHABI // A man who is accused of using an online website to defame the UAE could be suffering from “social isolation”, which led him to find a way online to become a hero, his lawyer told the Federal Supreme Court on Monday.
Emirati A W, 29, called the UAE “cartoonish”, “cursed” and “an apostatical state”.
He is also accused of creating an account on a website that supports jihadism called Shabakat Al Fidaa Al Islalmiya, Arabic for “The Islamic Redemption Network” where he published information aiming to harm the country.
It was also said in court that the accused provided financial support to ISIL and Jabhat Al Nusra. The amount of money was not disclosed in court.
The lawyer, Ali Al Mannaei, said many people who did not have good social skills resorted to online platforms to converse with others.
“Many socially isolated people find it easier to write down their thoughts and feelings online, instead of confronting an audience,” he said. “It could be a possibility that A W hid behind the account to be an online hero.
“But this shows there could be an underlying psychological issue that requires treatment and help.”
Mr Al Mannaei said his client had an eye condition, and could not see small letters or tolerate electronic gadgets. He said his client required a surgical procedure and a prolonged period of treatment for his eyes.
The lawyer said it was possible A W subscribed to the website only out of curiosity and that he did not personally write anything on it.
Mr Al Mannaei said the phrases attributed to his client were not his, and were written by someone else using his client’s account name.
“And that the participation of the accused under his name was just used to post an opinion and did not result in any harmful acts. The phrases had been copied from another website and then pasted into this one,” he said.
He said A W was not caught sending money to any foreign organisation.
“There has not been any proof of the implementation of any acts of terrorism as a result of this alleged funding, thus eliminating the right of the accused in the elements of crime in relation to this charge and previous charges while keeping the presumption of innocence,” he added.
A W denies all charges and a verdict will be announced on May 25.
aalkhoori@thenational.ae
