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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| UAE sentences 'coup plotters' to jail | UAE sentences 'coup plotters' to jail |
| (3 months later) | |
| More than 65 people accused of plotting an Islamist coup in the United Arab Emirates have been handed prison sentences – some of up to 15 years – in a mass trial that underscored the widening crackdowns on perceived Arab-spring-inspired dissent across the entire Gulf region. | More than 65 people accused of plotting an Islamist coup in the United Arab Emirates have been handed prison sentences – some of up to 15 years – in a mass trial that underscored the widening crackdowns on perceived Arab-spring-inspired dissent across the entire Gulf region. |
| Rights groups have accused the UAE of widespread violations and abuse against the 94 people on trial, who include teachers, lawyers and even the cousin of one of the UAE's rulers. | Rights groups have accused the UAE of widespread violations and abuse against the 94 people on trial, who include teachers, lawyers and even the cousin of one of the UAE's rulers. |
| The authorities have rejected the claims and have made further arrests targeting groups suspected of links to Islamist networks such as Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood. | The authorities have rejected the claims and have made further arrests targeting groups suspected of links to Islamist networks such as Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood. |
| The UAE, which allows no political parties, has not faced any street protests or direct pressure since the Arab spring uprisings began in the region more than two years ago. | The UAE, which allows no political parties, has not faced any street protests or direct pressure since the Arab spring uprisings began in the region more than two years ago. |
| But western-backed officials have turned their attention to suspected Islamist cells and online activists who have called for a greater public voice in the tightly controlled country. | But western-backed officials have turned their attention to suspected Islamist cells and online activists who have called for a greater public voice in the tightly controlled country. |
| The prominent rights activist Ahmed Mansoor, who was jailed in some of the first UAE crackdowns after the Arab spring, said prison terms of 15 years were given to eight people tried in absentia. | The prominent rights activist Ahmed Mansoor, who was jailed in some of the first UAE crackdowns after the Arab spring, said prison terms of 15 years were given to eight people tried in absentia. |
| Ten-year sentences were handed to 60 others, including Sheikh Sultan bin Kayed al-Qasimi, who was head of a group known as al-Islah, or Reform. He is a cousin of the ruler in Ras al-Khaimah, the northernmost of the UAE's seven emirates. | Ten-year sentences were handed to 60 others, including Sheikh Sultan bin Kayed al-Qasimi, who was head of a group known as al-Islah, or Reform. He is a cousin of the ruler in Ras al-Khaimah, the northernmost of the UAE's seven emirates. |
| At least 26 of the defendants were acquitted, Mansoor said. | At least 26 of the defendants were acquitted, Mansoor said. |
| Security was tight around the court on Tuesday, with many foreign journalists, family members and observers blocked from the session. The Abu Dhabi-based newspaper the National reported that chants of "Allahu Akbar", or "God is great", came from defendants and some relatives as the verdicts were read. | Security was tight around the court on Tuesday, with many foreign journalists, family members and observers blocked from the session. The Abu Dhabi-based newspaper the National reported that chants of "Allahu Akbar", or "God is great", came from defendants and some relatives as the verdicts were read. |
| Mansoor said at least two brothers of defendants were detained hours before the verdicts were handed down, reflecting wider trends across the Gulf as leaders attempt to quash any challenges to their rule. | Mansoor said at least two brothers of defendants were detained hours before the verdicts were handed down, reflecting wider trends across the Gulf as leaders attempt to quash any challenges to their rule. |
| Dozens of people have been jailed across the Gulf for blogposts and Twitter messages deemed offensive to rulers. Authorities across the Gulf also claim to have dismantled alleged espionage rings some accuse of links to rival Iran or its proxy Hezbollah. | Dozens of people have been jailed across the Gulf for blogposts and Twitter messages deemed offensive to rulers. Authorities across the Gulf also claim to have dismantled alleged espionage rings some accuse of links to rival Iran or its proxy Hezbollah. |
| But the UAE has been the most aggressive in moving against suspected threats from Islamist groups. | But the UAE has been the most aggressive in moving against suspected threats from Islamist groups. |
| Last month, UAE officials said they were planning another high-profile trial against 30 Egyptian and UAE suspects for alleged coup plots linked to Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood. | Last month, UAE officials said they were planning another high-profile trial against 30 Egyptian and UAE suspects for alleged coup plots linked to Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood. |
| The case has raised tensions with the Brotherhood-led government of the Egyptian president, Mohamed Morsi, who is now under extreme pressure at home from protesters and military officials calling for him to step down. | The case has raised tensions with the Brotherhood-led government of the Egyptian president, Mohamed Morsi, who is now under extreme pressure at home from protesters and military officials calling for him to step down. |
| In the Emirates' case against the 94 defendants, prosecutors claimed the al-Islah group was influenced by Muslim Brotherhood ideology to oppose the western-oriented system in the UAE. | In the Emirates' case against the 94 defendants, prosecutors claimed the al-Islah group was influenced by Muslim Brotherhood ideology to oppose the western-oriented system in the UAE. |
| The defendants rejected the claims, saying the group only supported Islamic viewpoints and carried out necessary social outreach in poorer areas of the country beyond the skylines of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. | The defendants rejected the claims, saying the group only supported Islamic viewpoints and carried out necessary social outreach in poorer areas of the country beyond the skylines of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. |
| Al-Islah has operated openly for decades in the UAE under the tacit agreement that members would not get involved in political affairs. | Al-Islah has operated openly for decades in the UAE under the tacit agreement that members would not get involved in political affairs. |
| In London, the director of the Emirates Centre for Human Rights said the aim of the trial was to "silence political activists and intimidate others who may support democratic reforms". | In London, the director of the Emirates Centre for Human Rights said the aim of the trial was to "silence political activists and intimidate others who may support democratic reforms". |
| "Allegations of torture remain without investigation and numerous fair trial standards have been violated," said Rori Donaghy. | "Allegations of torture remain without investigation and numerous fair trial standards have been violated," said Rori Donaghy. |
| "UAE authorities must quash these verdicts, release these individuals against whom they have presented no credible evidence and investigate the allegations of torture that have been made," Donaghy added. | "UAE authorities must quash these verdicts, release these individuals against whom they have presented no credible evidence and investigate the allegations of torture that have been made," Donaghy added. |
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