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UAE arrests: 41 accused of plotting 'caliphate' | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Authorities in the United Arab Emirates say 41 people will go on trial for trying to "seize power and establish a caliphate" in the Gulf nation. | Authorities in the United Arab Emirates say 41 people will go on trial for trying to "seize power and establish a caliphate" in the Gulf nation. |
The state news agency said the group comprised foreigners and UAE nationals. | The state news agency said the group comprised foreigners and UAE nationals. |
Attorney General Salem Saeed Kubaish said the suspects planned to "carry out terrorist acts on UAE territories". | Attorney General Salem Saeed Kubaish said the suspects planned to "carry out terrorist acts on UAE territories". |
It is the latest in a series of trials against Islamists in the UAE. Rights groups have attacked the fairness of the hearings. | It is the latest in a series of trials against Islamists in the UAE. Rights groups have attacked the fairness of the hearings. |
The group had a "takfiri" ideology, Mr Kubaish said - referring to an extremist Sunni Muslim belief pursued by the so-called Islamic State. | The group had a "takfiri" ideology, Mr Kubaish said - referring to an extremist Sunni Muslim belief pursued by the so-called Islamic State. |
"Takfir" is the practice of one Muslim declaring another an apostate - and one which IS has used to carry out punishments. | "Takfir" is the practice of one Muslim declaring another an apostate - and one which IS has used to carry out punishments. |
Islamists jailed | |
Mr Kubaish said they also had guns and explosives and had been in touch with militant groups abroad. | |
In July 2013, 68 Islamists were jailed without right of appeal after being accused of a plot to overthrow the UAE's government. | In July 2013, 68 Islamists were jailed without right of appeal after being accused of a plot to overthrow the UAE's government. |
One human rights observer said the verdict "cemented the UAE's reputation as a serious abuser of basic human rights". | One human rights observer said the verdict "cemented the UAE's reputation as a serious abuser of basic human rights". |
And in January last year, a court in the capital Abu Dhabi convicted 30 people over links to the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood party. | And in January last year, a court in the capital Abu Dhabi convicted 30 people over links to the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood party. |
The defendants were said to be linked to an Emirati Islamist political society, al-Islah, which prosecutors asserted was a branch of the Egypt-based Brotherhood. But al-Islah says it favours peaceful reform and denies ties to the Islamist movement. | The defendants were said to be linked to an Emirati Islamist political society, al-Islah, which prosecutors asserted was a branch of the Egypt-based Brotherhood. But al-Islah says it favours peaceful reform and denies ties to the Islamist movement. |
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