UAE court confirms life terms for terror cell members

The UAE Supreme Court handed life sentences to 43 defendants in major terror cell ruling, closing appeals in a case involving 59 people linked to banned organizations.

Court documents show 53 defendants had connections to Muslim Brotherhood, classified as terrorist group by UAE authorities. Five defendants received 15-year prison terms while another five face 10-year sentences. Each must pay 10 million dirham fines ($2.72 million).

Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeals ruling in Case No. 452 of 2023 marks final verdict against defendants accused of threatening state security and public order. Supreme Court decision ends all possible appeals.

UAE rejects terror suspects’ appeals, upholds life sentences

“The UAE Federal Court of Appeals in Abu Dhabi convicted Abdurrahman Ado Musa, Salihu Yusuf Adamu, Bashir Ali Yusuf, Muhammed Ibrahim Isa, Ibrahim Ali Alhassan, and Surajo Abubakar Muhammad for transferring $782,000 from Dubai to Boko Haram in Nigeria.” — Brian Nelson, Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence

Federal Supreme Court threw out appeals from “Justice and Dignity Organization” terror case defendants, court documents show. Decision confirms Abu Dhabi Federal Court’s original verdict against 59 people in Case No. 452 of 2023.

Court handed life terms to 43 defendants, while ten others received split sentences – five getting 15 years and five facing 10 years. Each must pay 10 million dirham fines. Six companies also face penalties under the ruling.

“The UAE Federal Court of Appeals in Abu Dhabi convicted Abdurrahman Ado Musa, Salihu Yusuf Adamu, Bashir Ali Yusuf, Muhammed Ibrahim Isa, Ibrahim Ali Alhassan, and Surajo Abubakar Muhammad for transferring $782,000 from Dubai to Boko Haram in Nigeria,” said Brian Nelson, Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence.

UAE security laws grant broad powers in terror cases. Officers can hold suspects up to 106 days, while prosecutors may detain them without charges for six months. Courts can extend detention indefinitely after formal charges.

Terror-related crimes carry fines up to 100 million dirhams under UAE law. Case drew global attention during Dubai’s COP28 climate talks. Academic Nasser bin Ghaith, held since August 2015, among those getting life terms.

Defendants faced charges under anti-terrorism laws targeting Muslim Brotherhood, which UAE lists as terror group. Law sets minimum 300,000 dirham fines for terror financing, rising to 10 million dirhams.

Inside UAE’s Justice and Dignity Committee operations

Secret group linked to Muslim Brotherhood ran network inside UAE before 2014 terror law crackdown. Court documents reveal activities went beyond civil rights advocacy, triggering counterterrorism charges.

Group published articles, contacted global organizations about civil rights issues. UAE authorities labeled it al-Islah branch, citing Muslim Brotherhood ties. Al-Islah leaders denied direct Brotherhood links while admitting shared ideology.

Prosecutors unveiled evidence showing committee built hidden network for violent acts inside UAE. Latest court battles focused on terror financing charges, marking shift from earlier cases.

Judicial secrecy sparked global concerns. Key details stayed hidden:

• Indictment specifics
• Charge details
• Defense lawyer names
• Defendant identities

UAE’s 2014 terror law allows life terms, death penalty for group members. Courts wield broad powers – from travel bans to surveillance.

Mass arrests during 2012-2013 ended committee operations before new terror law took effect. Security forces held suspects under extended detention rules. Recent court evidence drew heavily from UAE94 trial records.

Government tightened watch on groups critical of state policy, especially those with suspected al-Islah connections. Heightened restrictions followed for individuals, organizations deemed security risks.

Prosecutor files new appeals in terror funding case

Public Prosecutor targets 24 more defendants linked to “Reform Call” terror group funding. Fresh appeals challenge dismissed charges against suspects tied to Da’wat Al-Islah organization.

Supreme Court splits appeals from main verdict, citing case complexity. Move allows deeper probe into prosecutor claims about expired criminal charges.

Prosecutor challenges court’s decision to drop charges against select defendants. Terror financing cases face renewed scrutiny under expanded legal push.

Court sets April 8 hearing date for new appeals. Delay gives legal teams time to build dismissed charges case.

UAE security laws grant broad powers in terror cases. Officers maintain tight case control, restrict defense lawyer communications.

Court keeps strict security rules through appeals process. Families face limited access to hearings. Measures match UAE terror case protocols.

Split appeals strategy shows court’s detailed approach to terror network cases. System preserves main verdict while examining new evidence against funding suspects.

UAE terror case shows broad legal powers

Supreme Court ruling hits 59 defendants, six companies in sweeping terror verdict . Life terms, heavy fines mark tough stance on extremist networks.

Court powers stretch from extended detention to million-dirham penalties . Security measures target terror funding channels, organizational support systems.

Justice and Dignity Committee case reveals UAE strategy against hidden networks . Authorities dismantled group through court system, exposing Brotherhood links.

Prosecutor pushes more appeals, shows court’s detailed approach . System handles main verdicts, new evidence separately while keeping security tight.