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صحيفة الاتحاد Al Ittihad Newspaper; United Arab Emirates
Topic Started: Oct 1 2014, 06:27 AM (67 Views)
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Al Ittihad صحيفة الاتحاد

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The UAE's Daily Newspaper
Est. 1969

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Courts to review 2013 subversion, incitement case
Nine pardoned; Reformists, conspirator Al-Islah members to get final appeal

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Abu Dhabi, UAE -- February 2015

In a surprising turn of events, Friday afternoon saw President HH Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan announce a full pardon for nine lawyers and academics sentenced in 2013. The nine convicted men were arrested during an operation that brought several religious extremists to trial on charges of subversion, incitement and plotting to overthrow the government. President HH Sheikh Khalifa's decision comes as public statements from the Ministry of Justice show the Federal Supreme Court will be reviewing the case in the coming months regarding the remaining sixty who were prosecuted.

An MoJ spokeswoman, while hosting a press conference early today, told Al Ittihad newspaper that although "several societal groups, both national and international, including lawyers and writers association, have voiced their concern" regarding the 2013 trial, the Court's decision was made independent from any external or public pressure. She cited a brief statement from the Federal Supreme Court in which Judge Abdullah Ahmed bin Fahd described "inconsistencies and irregularities" during the original trial and a "subsequent need to review [the case]." The 2013 trial was held privately and it was unclear whether further details of the appeal would be made public.

A majority of the sixty accomplices who remain in prison are either members of the Islamic group Al-Islah, Hizb ut-Tahrir or local political reformist organisations, mostly based in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Late last year federal prosecutors told the public that several of those sentenced were extremist conspirators with links to Muslim Brotherhood-aligned groups in Egypt and Libya. Their sentences range from seven to fifteen years in prison. Those pardoned on Friday afternoon have been released and have regained Emirati citizenship, after having it revoked as per sentencing.

Prominent writers and reformist academics group, the Emirati Academic Society for Reform (EASR), told Al Ittihad that these developments were encouraging. The group made headlines earlier this month when it submitted a petition to the Federal Supreme Council signed by academics and tribal officials calling for political reform, especially regarding the federal and emirate level legislature branches, local municipal councils and "the need for greater participation and awareness during elections and advisory meetings." Former members of their group were among those charged in the 2013 trial. EASR advocates for political and social reform, stating their mission to be "the gradual but sure journey towards a plural and participatory system in order to further the stable and truly incorruptible nature of the federal state." In Abu Dhabi, EASR and associated groups have organised open majlis and advisory events to represent local opinions and the group has endorsed elected officials on the local municipal councils in both the Abu Dhabi and Dubai Emirates.
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Kurdish relationship sour, anti-Daesh coalition 'damaged'
Military operations in Iraq put on hold, say sources; UAE diplomats voice frustration

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An Emirati fighter jet flys above the Gulf during routine exercises


ABU DHABI, UAE -- April 2015 | Add'l reporting: ERBIL & BAGHDAD. IRAQ

The internal tensions in Iraq are slowing progress against Daesh and damaging the coalition's integrity, say top diplomats and officials close to the Dewan Dar'al. A senior official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Al Ittihad of frustration and a lack of progress within Abu Dhabi regarding operations in Iraq. "It was only last month that our top diplomats were having daily meetings with representatives of the Iraqi Kurdistan," the MoFA source said, "but today we're back to the drawing board, as it were."

A second government official at the Dewan Dar'al has told Al Ittihad that military operations in Iraq "to support Kurdish security forces against Daesh were eminent" but were cancelled at the last minute due to the internal strife and gridlock within Iraq's federal system. The President's spokesmen, Jacob al Hashem, dodged questions surrounding the rumours of a stalled military operation at a press session this morning. However, al Hashem, on a lunchtime news talkshow, mentioned a growing "sense of dissatisfaction" within the Dewan Dar'al towards "particular actions taken by regional partners that continue to [...] hinder the goals and objectives of the international anti-Daesh coalition."

A Ministry of Defence spokesman told Al Ittihad that the UAE's humanitarian mission to Iraq is continuing - despite the suggestions that military operations have been paused. Earlier in the month the Higher National Security Council concluded a second session of briefings and communicated recommendations to the President on possible military action in Iraq. Syria was also included in the discussions, the MoD spokesman stated.

In a statement earlier this week the MoFA said that "UAE's humanitarian commitments have [been] reviewed and are expected to be enhanced immediately." Although it appears nothing has eventuated from this and our reporters in Baghdad and Erbil have seen or heard no sign of any larger or 'enhanced' humanitarian mission. "If anything," our reporter on the ground, Susan Yusef, says, "UAE activity in Iraq has dropped off - near completely."
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