UAE trial of 94 accused of Islamist plot begins

UAE prosecutors have outlined their case against 94 Emiratis on trial for sedition and links to the Muslim Brotherhood, claiming the group was plotting to overthrow the government.

Investigators told the State Security Court in Abu Dhabi on Monday that they overheard the group during secret meetings planning to seize power as the Arab Spring began in 2011, according to reporters present at the trial.

The court heard details of the group’s finances, including stocks, property and commercial companies. The accused owned educational centres for children and adults and had attempted to infiltrate institutions of the state including schools, universities and ministries.

Each of the accused had invested money from Brotherhood membership fees and charity funds to set up commercial enterprises and real estate investments held in their own names to conceal their activities from the state, it was alleged.

In February state news agency WAM reported that those on trial included 13 women who had been charged but were not detained and 10 others who are being tried in absentia.

The defendants are accused of "belonging to an illegal, secret organisation... that aims to counter the foundations of this state in order to seize power and of contacting foreign entities and groups to implement this plan", WAM said.

Several of those on trial applied for bail yesterday but were yet to receive a decision.

The case is being heard by Judge Falah Al Hajiri and is ongoing.