Trial date set for 19 September for 2 Abdouli siblings in ‪‎UAE in freedom of expression case

Amina ‘Abdouli, 33, and Mos’ab ‘Abdouli, 25 are two siblings who appeared for the first time since their arrest before the State Security Chamber of the Supreme Federal Court in the UAE on June 27th

Amina is charged with creating and running two Twitter accounts and publishing information with the aims of inciting hatred against the State and disturbing public order; mocking and damaging the reputation of State institutions; publishing false information about Saudi Arabia and making derogatory remarks about an Egyptian official with the aim of endangering the State’s relations with Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

Her brother Mos’ab ‘Abdouli was charged with joining the non-state armed group Ahrar al-Sham in Syria prior to June 2013, and receiving military training. He denied the charges. 

In the first week of July, the two siblings were moved to al-Wathba prison in Abu Dhabi 

It is important to note that Waleed ‘Abdouli,oldest brother of Amina and Mos'ab, was also arrested by State Security members after speaking out against the arrest of his siblings but he was released on a later date and their younger sister Moza ‘Abdouli, was also arrested for no reason and was taken with them to an unknown location. she was released on the 30th of May

Amina and Mos'ab will have an other hearing trial on Septembre 19th.

Since 2011, the UAE authorities have mounted an unprecedented crackdown on freedom of expression and association in the country. The space for dissent has shrunk and many people, both Emiratis and non-Emiratis, who have criticised the UAE government, its policies, and the human rights situation in the country have been harassed, arrested, tortured, or subjected to unfair trial and imprisonment. The authorities have arrested, detained, and prosecuted more than 100 activists and critics of the government, including prominent lawyers, judges, and academics, on broad and sweeping national security-related or cybercrimes charges in proceedings that fail to meet international fair trial standards.

Despite certain safeguards in the UAE Constitution and laws, the rights of detainees upon arrest are routinely disregarded, especially in cases where the State Security Agency (SSA) is involved. SSA officials generally arrest people without warrants, then take them to unofficial secret detention facilities where they are kept for weeks or months without charge or access to legal representation. Detainees are often tortured or otherwise ill-treated.