UAE Islamists Sue Government over Revoked Nationalities
A federal court adjourned on Wednesday a case filed by seven Islamists against the United Arab Emirates interior ministry for revoking their nationalities over alleged terror links, state media said.
The seven are all naturalized decades ago. They have been behind bars since April 9 after refusing to obtain new nationalities or face jail.
"They have filed a case against the interior ministry for revoking their citizenship," said WAM news agency.
The case was adjourned to May 16, following a request by the ministry "to present documents and respond," WAM said.
In a rarer move, the UAE revoked the Islamists' citizenship in December for allegedly threatening the Gulf state's security and safety.
The UAE said they were being stripped of their nationality because they "had perpetrated ... acts threatening the national security of the UAE through their connection with suspicious regional and international organizations and personalities."
Some of the organizations were linked to entities mentioned in U.N. lists to combat terrorist financing.
The men had were naturalized between 1976 and 1986.
All of them have identified themselves as members of the UAE's Reform and Social Guidance Association, which is linked to the Muslim Brotherhood.
They have signed a petition calling for political reforms which was launched by UAE intellectuals and activists in March 2011.
The UAE, a federation of seven emirates led by oil-rich Abu Dhabi, has not seen any popular protests calling for reform like those that have swept other Arab countries, including nearby Bahrain and Oman.
However, the government has increased its clampdown on voices of dissent and calls for democratic reform.
Source: Agence France Presse
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