UAE to deliver verdicts for 94 defendants charged with coup plotJuly 2, 2013 - 11:10 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A United Arab Emirates court will deliver verdicts on Tuesday, July 2 in the case of 94 Emiratis charged with plotting to overthrow the government, a sensitive case reflecting the authorities' deep mistrust of Islamist groups after the Arab Spring, Reuters reported. Dozens of people have been detained in a crackdown on Islamists in the past year amid heightened worries among officials about a spillover of unrest in other Arab countries. The trial, which human rights groups say has included "flagrant flaws" in procedure, is seen as an attempt by the Gulf Arab state to address what it says is a threat from the banned Muslim Brotherhood. The defendants say they have been abused, an accusation the state denies. The Federal Supreme Court is expected to rule on the guilt or innocence of the accused and also to pronounce sentence on those found guilty. Local media reports have said the charges carry a potential jail term of 10 years. Many of the 94 who have been on trial since March are members of the al-Islah group, which the UAE says has links to Egypt's Brotherhood. Al-Islah says it shares some of the Brotherhood's ideology but has no organizational links to it. The defendants, known as UAE94, are accused of "belonging to an illegal, secret organization ... that aims to counter the foundations of this state in order to seize power and of contacting foreign entities and groups to implement this plan". The defendants have denied the charges. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | IDBank, Dalma team up for Caucasian Deer Reintroduction Program IDBank has joined Dalma Garden Mall’s Green Challenge to support the Caucasian red deer reintroduction project. Through Ucom’s support the 12th Sunchild Festival concludes On May 24-28, with the support of Ucom, the 12th international environmental festival Sunchild took place in Yerevan. U.S., Turkey emphasize importance of Armenia-Azerbaijan peace deal Jake Sullivan and Akif Cagatay Kilic have discussed the normalization process between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Armenia coach expects good football in Slovenia friendly The Armenian national team has left for Ljubljana a friendly match against Slovenia on June 4. |