UAE: Al-Islah trial verdict due on 2 July


Closing arguments have been heard in the trial of 94 Emiratis linked to Islamist group Jamiat Al-Islah wa Tawjih who are accused of plotting to overthrow the government, and a verdict has been scheduled for 2 July. Most of the defendants admit to being members of Al-Islah but deny the accusations of sedition, and that the group has direct links to the Muslim Brotherhood. The final defence arguments in what is the biggest political trial in UAE history were heard on 21 May. Defence lawyers said their clients had faced psychological and physical coercion in detention, extended periods of solitary confinement, and that case files had been tampered with.