UAE activists on trial for insulting gov't

The trial of five activists charged with publicly insulting the president of the United Arab Emirates is being criticized by human rights groups. Amnesty International, the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information, Front Line Defenders and Human Rights Watch said the activists' trial has been marked by procedural flaws and has violated the most basic defense rights of the accused. The groups are calling for Emirati authorities to drop all charges and free the activists, Amnesty International said in a statement. A hearing held Sunday was the first time family members, the media and human rights observers were allowed in the courtroom during the trial. The defendants refused to appear at the hearing in protest of violations of their rights, a defense attorney said. Human Rights observer Jennie Pasquarella told CNN the hearing was "political theater." "The defendants have not had an opportunity to present their case. They haven't had any of their demands addressed by the court and as we saw today, their demands continue to be put off and put off and not ruled on," Pasquarella said. The five activists, who have been calling for political reform, are charged under an article of the penal code that makes it a crime to publicly insult top officials.