Verdict in UAE Islamists' case against govt due end May

A UAE federal court will pass its verdict later this month in a case filed against the interior ministry by seven Islamists whose citizenships were revoked over alleged terror links, state media reported on Wednesday. "Abu Dhabi's Federal Court of First Instance will pass on May 31 its judgement in the lawsuit filed against the ministry of interior by seven people whose citizenships have been revoked," the WAM news agency said. Their lawyer Mohammed al-Roken confirmed that the verdict was expected on May 30, but said he had not yet been able to meet his clients since they were arrested. The seven men, who were all naturalised between 1976 and 1986, have been behind bars since April 9 after refusing to obtain new nationalities or face jail. In a rare move, the UAE revoked the Islamists' citizenship late last year 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 organisations and personalities." Some of the organisations were linked to entities mentioned in UN lists drawn up to combat terrorist financing. The men have all identified themselves as members of the UAE's Reform and Social Guidance Association (Al-Islah), which is linked to the Muslim Brotherhood. They have also signed a petition calling for political reforms which was launched by UAE intellectuals and activists in March 2011. Amnesty International on May 9 said the whereabouts of two other men, both members of Al-Islah who were arrested late last month without charge, remained unknown, and that "they might be at risk of torture or other ill-treatment." "If both men are held solely for their peaceful exercise of their right to freedom of opinion and expression, they should be released immediately and unconditionally," the London-based rights watchdog said. 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.