With a view of towers along the Sheikh Zayed highway in background, an Asian laborer fixes new fence around a horse race track which was divided to two parts by a new road construction at Al Barsha district Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)
With a view of towers along the Sheikh Zayed highway in background, an Asian laborer fixes new fence around a horse race track which was divided to two parts by a new road construction at Al Barsha district Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)
With a view of towers at Marina district in background, Asian laborers fix new fence around a horse race track which was divided to two parts by a new road construction at Al Barsha district Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) ? A state security court in Abu Dhabi sentenced five activists to prison terms Sunday for joining calls seeking greater political openness in the United Arab Emirates.
The UAE has faced outcry from rights groups for the trials, which were held a court that has no recourse for appeal.
The Gulf state has not been hit by the Arab Spring unrest which has spread throughout much of the rest of the region. But the activists' trial appears to reflect a UAE strategy of snuffing out any sign of dissent that could pose challenges to the tight political controls in this federation of seven sheik-ruled emirates.
The three-judge panel sentenced one prominent blogger, Ahmed Mansour, to three years in prison. The others received two-year jail terms, including a trade law expert who has lectured at the Abu Dhabi branch of Paris' Sorbonne university and advised the UAE's armed forces.
"I am disappointed," said defense lawyer Mohammed al-Roken. "The fact there is no appeal is very worrying since it does not meet all standards of fair trial."
The five were arrested in April after signing an online petition demanding political reforms, including a parliament selected by open elections. The charges including insulting the country's leadership.
The five defendants have reportedly been on hunger strike and did not attend the sentencing.
After the verdict, dozens of men gathered in front of the court in a state-organized rally.
"Justice has been served," said Thabet al Qaisi, 29-year old businessman from Abu Dhabi. "I respect any decision of our nation's court. Were they pronounced innocent, I'd be the first to welcome them outside. But they have been convicted and the punishment is fair."
The UAE marks its 40th anniversary of independence next week and some demonstrators suggested the activists could receive a presidential pardon. But the defendants have previously rejected the idea of a pardon unless it was accompanied by the entire case being throw out.
Samer Muscati, a researcher for New York-based Human Rights Watch, called the proceedings "fundamentally unfair."
"It is highly disturbing that after almost eight months in jail, these men get to spend more time locked up on these ridiculous charges," he said.
Associated Pressyu darvish hope solo dancing with the stars hope solo dancing with the stars jack wagner matt jones snow white and the huntsman trailer snow white and the huntsman trailer
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.