UAE Bars Foreign Journalists From Trial

The UAE has barred foreign journalists from covering the sedition trial of 94 Emiratis accused of sedition, writes Matt Duffy.
People walk past a court in AL-Ain January 10, 2010. Sheikh Issa bin Zayed al-Nahyan, a member of Abu Dhabi's ruling family, was found innocent on Sunday of the torture and rape of an Afghan in a case that embarrassed the Gulf Arab emirate and raised questions over human rights. The judge reading the verdict at the court in the United Arab Emirates, the world's third largest oil exporter and a key U.S. ally, did not give a reason why Sheikh Issa was exonerated of responsibility for abuse shown in a video fi
People walk past a courthouse in AL-Ain January 10, 2010. - REUTERS/Mosab Omar
Matt-Duffy-Head-Shot.jpg
Matt J. Duffy

At Monday’s trial in Abu Dhabi of 94 Emiratis accused of sedition, the court announced foreign journalists would be barred from the proceedings.

Anwar Gargash, the minister of state for foreign affairs, explained on Twitter that the UAE media would cover the trial alone “as per procedures decided by the court.”

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.

Videos

See more