US congressman calls for Emirati prisoner of conscience's release

A US congressman has called for the release of Abdulsalam Mohamed Darwish al-Marzooqi, an Emirati prisoner of conscience, who was arrested and imprisoned during the country's infamous "UAE 94" trial, Middle East Eye has revealed.

Jim McGovern, who represents the second district of Massachusetts and is co-chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, said Marzooqi's human rights "have been violated repeatedly since his warrantless arrest in 2012".

Abdulsalam Mohamed Darwish al-Marzooqi was handed a 10-year sentence in 2013 after being accused of planning to overthrow the Emirati government, a charge he strongly denied.

"Mr al-Marzooqi's case seems to be an example of the UAE's mistreatment of individuals who oppose the government, feeding doubts about the country's commitment to the rule of law," McGovern said in an emailed statement to MEE.

"Given the increased risk to detainees the world over due to the coronavirus, the UAE should consider releasing al-Marzooqi immediately."