UAE puts 84 on trial for ties with Muslim Brotherhood

The UAE's Attorney-General has referred 84 individuals with alleged ties with Muslim Brotherhood to stand trial at Abu Dhabi State Security Court, the official Emirates News Agency WAM reported on Saturday.

The individuals will be on trial for establishing a "clandestine organization for the purpose of committing acts of violence and terrorism on UAE soil," according to the WAM report.

The defendants had concealed their action and evidence prior to their arrest, the report added.

UAE AG Dr Hamad Saif al-Shamsi reportedly referred the individuals to trial, following six months of investigation.

The State Security Court has begun public trial and has reportedly appointed a lawyer for each defendant. The court is also hearing from witnesses, the report said.

Muslim Brotherhood was founded in Egypt. In 2014, Saudi Arabia and UAE officially designated the group as a terrorist organization. Bahrain and Egypt soon followed suit.

In May 2023, Jordan handed over Khalaf Abdul Rahman Humaid al-Rumaithi, a wanted man with links to the Muslim Brotherhood, to the UAE. At the time, he faced charges in the UAE for "establishing a secret organization affiliated with the terrorist [organization] Muslim Brotherhood that aims to oppose the foundational principles of the UAE government," the WAM report said.