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UAE Islamists convicted for plotting government coup | UAE Islamists convicted for plotting government coup |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Sixty-eight Islamists in the United Arab Emirates have been jailed over allegations of a plot to overthrow the government. | Sixty-eight Islamists in the United Arab Emirates have been jailed over allegations of a plot to overthrow the government. |
Many of those convicted were imprisoned for at least seven years. Another 26, including 13 women, were acquitted. | Many of those convicted were imprisoned for at least seven years. Another 26, including 13 women, were acquitted. |
The 94 defendants were accused of trying to seize power in the Emirates. | The 94 defendants were accused of trying to seize power in the Emirates. |
The verdict ended a trial criticised by human rights groups, which said the judge failed to investigate "credible" allegations of torture of defendants. | The verdict ended a trial criticised by human rights groups, which said the judge failed to investigate "credible" allegations of torture of defendants. |
The defendants included human rights lawyers, university lecturers and students. | The defendants included human rights lawyers, university lecturers and students. |
A majority of those convicted were given jail sentences between seven and 10 years, reports said. | A majority of those convicted were given jail sentences between seven and 10 years, reports said. |
Eight defendants no longer in the country were sentenced to 15 years. | Eight defendants no longer in the country were sentenced to 15 years. |
The convictions were condemned by Human Rights Watch. Nick McGeehan, the organisation's Gulf researcher, said they represented "another low point for the UAE's worsening human rights record". | |
"These verdicts cement the UAE's reputation as a serious abuser of basic human rights," Mr McGeehan added. | |
No foreign media | No foreign media |
The Federal Supreme Court jailed two prominent human rights lawyers to 10 years in prison each, the Emirates Centre for Human Rights said. | The Federal Supreme Court jailed two prominent human rights lawyers to 10 years in prison each, the Emirates Centre for Human Rights said. |
The verdict was reported on local state-run TV. | The verdict was reported on local state-run TV. |
Roads outside the court were blocked and reporters kept away from the site ahead of the verdict, Reuters news agency said. | Roads outside the court were blocked and reporters kept away from the site ahead of the verdict, Reuters news agency said. |
Foreign observers and international media have not been allowed access to the hearings. | Foreign observers and international media have not been allowed access to the hearings. |
The defendants are said to be members of al-Islah, an Emirati-based Islamist group linked to the Muslim Brotherhood. | The defendants are said to be members of al-Islah, an Emirati-based Islamist group linked to the Muslim Brotherhood. |
They were accused of setting up an organisation "seeking to oppose the basic principles of the UAE system of governance and to seize power". | They were accused of setting up an organisation "seeking to oppose the basic principles of the UAE system of governance and to seize power". |
Political parties and demonstrations are banned in the UAE, which comprises seven sheikdoms run by ruling families. | Political parties and demonstrations are banned in the UAE, which comprises seven sheikdoms run by ruling families. |
The trial which began in March has been strongly criticised by global human rights advocates, who have said the proceedings were in "flagrant disregard of fair trial guarantees". | The trial which began in March has been strongly criticised by global human rights advocates, who have said the proceedings were in "flagrant disregard of fair trial guarantees". |
Most of the defendants were arrested in July and August 2012. Their families were denied visitation rights during pre-trial detention. | Most of the defendants were arrested in July and August 2012. Their families were denied visitation rights during pre-trial detention. |
Human rights groups also alleged that some of the inmates were tortured during their detention. | Human rights groups also alleged that some of the inmates were tortured during their detention. |
But the UAE attorney general has rejected the claims, saying the prisoners were being "dealt with according to the law". | But the UAE attorney general has rejected the claims, saying the prisoners were being "dealt with according to the law". |
The 68 who were convicted have no right of appeal. | The 68 who were convicted have no right of appeal. |
The UAE like other Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) countries has cracked down hard on dissidents and social media activists. | |
Two more were arrested on Monday night for tweeting in support of the 94, including the brother of a prominent detainee, a local activist told the BBC. He said they were being held in an unknown location. | Two more were arrested on Monday night for tweeting in support of the 94, including the brother of a prominent detainee, a local activist told the BBC. He said they were being held in an unknown location. |
The activist described the detainees as "singing Islamic songs and chanting God is great" when the verdicts were announced in court. | The activist described the detainees as "singing Islamic songs and chanting God is great" when the verdicts were announced in court. |