ABU DHABI // Lawyers have told a court that there was no evidence linking their clients to Al Qaeda-affiliated groups in Syria.
Fifteen men are on trial for establishing and running a secret organisation, and communicating with Jabhat Al Nusra and Ahrar Al Sham Brigade in Syria.
They are also accused of collecting funds to support the groups, and recruiting men to fight against civilians in Syria.
Four of the 15 are being tried in the State Security Court in their absence.
Judge Mohammed Al Jarah Al Tenaiji earlier read a report from Public Prosecution stating that Ahrar Al Sham was a terrorism movement that aims to create violence.
Mohammed Ahmad, a lawyer representing the main defendant, Syrian M E, 36, said there was no evidence that showed his client had been a member of any such group.
Mr Ahmad was also defending three others on behalf of his colleague Nasser Al Shamsi, who was unable to attend, and called for their acquittal.
“The defendants continuously denied the charges and the crime has no evidence,” he said.
“Neither the witnesses nor the prosecution gave any evidence regarding the three and I ask for their acquittal.”
Jassim Al Naqbi, who is representing four defendants, said the Ahrar Al Sham Brigade had not been named as a terrorist group until the judge read out the prosecution’s letter in the morning.
“State Security does not identify who is classified as a terrorist group and, as far as I know, Jabhat Al Nusra and Ahrar Al Sham fight each other,” Mr Al Naqbi said. “How can these men be members of both groups and help both?”
Emirati A B, 26, is accused of having an unlicensed gun.
But Mr Al Naqbi said his client’s gun only fired blank bullets, usually for celebrations, and did not require a licence.
Saeed Al Zahmi, representing defendants A R, 33, and O R, 26, said they had given themselves up at the UAE Embassy in Turkey after they had left Syria.
Mr Al Zahmi said the men were “driven by their emotions” to try to help others.
“The law states that any person that turns himself to the authorities and lets them know of any crime is pardoned by the court,” he said. “However, the two were arrested upon their arrival at the embassy.
“They had thought about helping others in need in Syria but they found the situation to be chaotic, that it had been a mistake and they returned home looking for safety.”
Mr Al Zahmi said the men, and many others, had been influenced by false teachings about jihad and such beliefs need to be corrected.
He said the men had travelled to Syria but did not take part in any crime or terrorist act, and there were no documents to prove that they had.
All of the lawyers sought the acquittal of their clients, who were allowed to address the court.
A B, 26, who holds a Comoros Island passport, said he had been mistreated during interrogation and had been tricked by the investigators.
“I was told to meet a committee and I wasn’t expecting to witness a trial,” he said. “I was told several men had joined a group and I had no relation to the men other than sharing a last name.
“To my surprise, I found out we were all charged with being in a secret group and were part of the same case.
“We are not a cell or group of any kind, and whoever went to Syria did so with their own will. I did not send anyone to fight.”
M B, 24, who also holds a Comoros Island passport, was accused of igniting a bomb but said he was only playing with fireworks and did not harm anyone.
The verdict will be announced on December 9.
aalkhoori@thenational.ae
