UAE Trial Adds to Controversy Over Press Freedom, Political Islam
Guilty verdicts in the trial of 94 people accused of plotting to overthrow the UAE government have raised new questions about both press freedom and the role of political Islam.
The trial of the 94 people accused of attempting to overthrow the government of the United Arab Emirates ended on July 2 with 69 guilty verdicts and made an impact on both political Islam and freedom of expression in the Emirates.
The 94 Emiratis were accused of being members of Al Islah, an Islamic group loosely affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood. A security court convicted 69 of the accused of attempting to overthrow the government. The 10- to 15-year sentences cannot be appealed. The judge acquitted the other 25 accused, including all 13 women.
