UAE to try 30 for setting up branch of Muslim Brotherhood

The United Arab Emirates on Wednesday referred to the supreme court 30 people accused of setting up a branch of the Muslim Brotherhood as the Gulf state seeks to stamp out what it regards as the Egyptian movement's role in stoking domestic Islamism.

The move comes ahead of a verdict on 94 Emiratis accused of attempting to overthrow the government, which is scheduled to be handed down on July 2.

The UAE, concerned that Islamism may be taking root in the poorer emirates of the seven-member federation, is cracking down on organised political activity, which remains banned.

The official news agency on Wednesday said some of the 30 accused, which include Emiratis and Egyptians, had run a branch of the international Muslim Brotherhood of Egypt without a licence, attracting new members and raising funds.

The report, citing Rashid al-Dhanhani, state security public prosecutor, linked the activities of the alleged Muslim Brotherhood members to the 94 domestic Islamists, who belong to local group al-Islah.

Some of the 30 are accused of receiving financial support from "the secret organisation seeking to seize power in the country," an apparent reference to the 94, who have denied any wrongdoing.

The report also alleges that some of the 30 accused stole sensitive electronic material concerning the aforementioned "secret organisation".

Officials from the UAE and Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood have been engaging in a war of words over allegations that the Egyptian group is seeking to spread its influence in the UAE, straining relations between the two countries.

The UAE's approach contrasts with that of neighbouring Qatar, which has backed Cairo's Muslim Brotherhood-led government with political and financial support.

The Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party this week distanced itself from controversial comments made by its deputy head, Essam el-Erian, who said the UAE would "become slaves of the Persians" as he expressed frustration at the "illegal" treatment of 11 Egyptians detained there.

The 11 are believed to be part of the group of 30 who will now face trial in the UAE capital, an Emirati official said.

Prominent Emirati commentator Sultan Al Qassemi this week wrote that the UAE should consider cutting diplomatic ties with Cairo, arguing that "there is no logic in keeping ties with a government that is openly hostile to the UAE".

Dubai's police chief Dhahi al-Khalfan has frequently accused the brotherhood of trying to overthrow Gulf monarchies.

Rights groups have raised concerns about the trial of the 94 Emirati suspects, allegations of mistreatment and the use of arbitrary detention.

Earlier this month, Amnesty International expressed concern about disregard for due process in the UAE's criminal justice system, as well as the use of "secret detention centres".

© The Financial Times Limited 2013. All rights reserved.
FT and Financial Times are trademarks of the Financial Times Ltd.
Not to be redistributed, copied or modified in any way.
Euro2day.gr is solely responsible for providing this translation and the Financial Times Limited does not accept any liability for the accuracy or quality of the translation