Abu Dhabi court suspends hearing in case of terrorist organization ‘Justice and Dignity Committee’

Abu Dhabi: The State Security Chamber of the Federal Court of Appeal of Abu Dhabi has decided to postpone the hearing of a case involving the terrorist organization ‘Justice and Dignity Committee’ until May 2, 2024.

The court will conclude the hearing on the defense’s arguments and the defendants’ response to the prosecution’s response. Eighty-four defendants in this case are accused of establishing and directing a clandestine terrorist organization in the UAE known as the “Justice and Dignity Committee.”

The charges against them include planning terrorist acts, raising funds for the organization and concealing the source and destination of those funds. During yesterday’s hearing, attended by the defendants’ families and media representatives, the court heard more than three hours of defense arguments, in which the defendants’ lawyers argued that the court lacked jurisdiction due to a previous ruling in an earlier case, i.e. Case No. 79 of 2012.

This formed a fundamental aspect of their defense strategy, which was endorsed by all defendants. They also challenged the validity of the charges brought by the prosecution and challenged the evidence presented. In response, the Prosecutor reaffirmed their position as expressed in the opening statement. The prosecutor argued that the current charges are materially different from those in the previous case because they are demonstrably criminal acts.

These constitute a separate crime under the principle of substantive plurality. It is striking that the financing of a terrorist organization was not discussed in the previous process. WET