UAE top court reconvicts 24 to life in prison in terror case

The Criminal Chamber of the Federal Supreme Court has overturned a previous ruling and reconvicted 24 individuals with links to the "Justice and Dignity Committee" terror group with life sentences.

Following an appeal, the court charged the defendants for collaborating with the “Justice and Dignity” terror group and for financing the Al-Islah terror organisation. 

The court also ordered the confiscation of all funds and items linked to these crimes.

The previous verdict by State Security Chamber at the Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal had dropped the criminal charges against the 24 defendants.

In his appeal, Attorney General Chancellor Dr. Hamad Saif Al Shamsi explained that the lower court had overlooked the defendants involvement in financing and collaborating with the "Jusitice and Dignity" terror group.

On July 10, the Abu Dhabi Federal Appeals Court convicted 53 defendants linked to the 'Justice and Dignity Committee' terrorist organisation. Forty-three of them were sentenced to life in prison and five were handed 15-year jail terms, while five others were sentenced to 10 years in prison and fined AED 10 million.

The court also imposed a fine of AED 20 million each on six companies that were convicted of money laundering to support a terrorist organisation. These firms have been ordered to close and all their assets will be confiscated. One defendant was acquitted.