11 charged for planning attacks on UAE facilities

By Eudore R. Chand

4 ships were attacked off Fujairah Port

Four sentenced to life, two get 10 years each

ABU DHABI 16 May 2019: The Abu Dhabi Federal Appeal Court yesterday sentenced four persons to life in prison for planning to commit terrorist crimes and vandalism against key UAE establishments.

The State Security Prosecution charged 11 people with forming a terror cell affiliated to Hezbollah in Lebanon, as well as planning acts of terrorist and vandalism against key national establishments, and possession of explosives and remote detonators.

The court sentenced them (AN, AM, FAS and ATS, all Arab nationals), to be deported at the end of their jail term, ordered the confiscation of all their telecommunication devices, computers and mobile phones, and held them responsible for all legal fees, said Wam.

The court also sentenced HMB and ANMAS, both of Arab nationalities, to 10 years in prison for the same crimes, and ordered their deportation after the end of their jail term, as well as the confiscation of their telecommunication devices, computers and mobile phones, and held them responsible for all legal fees.

The court fined ANMAS Dh3,000 for owning an unlicensed air rifle, and acquitted MHK, HAZ, AHNF, MAF and JAMF, all Arab nationals.

The UAE also awarded a 5-year jail term to individual convicted of cybercrimes, joining Daesh

The State Security Chamber of the Federal Supreme Court of the United Arab Emirates on Sunday issued a five-year jail sentence on a Comoran citizen (A.A.A.Z) aged 21 years, and a fine of Dh1,000,000.

The court ordered the confiscation of all devices used to commit the crimes, as well as the wiping of all data produced by the defendant, as well as the closing of all accounts associated to the defendant. The sentenced individual was also ordered to bear the cost of all judicial expenses.

A.A.A.Z was found guilty for joining the terrorist organisation, Daesh, and pledging allegiance to Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi, the leader of the militant terrorist organisation, via their Twitter account.

The court also convicted A.A.A.Z of using their Twitter account to disseminate detrimental information and articles promoting Al Qaeda and Daesh, whilst also urging young individuals to join these terrorist groups, knowing full well the reality and objectives of these terrorist organisations. The accused was also convicted of publishing media articles detailing false information detrimental to the UAE and its community.

The court said that the guilty was in violation of Articles 1, 22, and 45 of Federal Law No. 07 of 2014 on Combating Terrorism Offences, and Articles 1, 9, 26 and 41 of Federal Law No. 05 of 2012 on Combatting Cybercrimes.

Open confrontation not in region’s interest: Anwar Gargash

Open confrontation is not in the region’s interest, said the UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, following the recent attacks on four commercial ships near the UAE’s territorial waters.

Dr. Anwar Gargash said that the region is undergoing a “very sensitive period” at present, “but it is not in our interest to see an open confrontation.”

“We have to exercise wisdom, patience and prudence,” he added, reaffirming that regional developments have witnessed many crises, but that no parties “have an interest in seeing this current conflict flare up.”

The UAE minister noted, “We will do everything we can to not only avoid war but to de-escalate the current situation.”

US, France Join Fujairah Investigations

Commenting on investigations currently taking place in Fujairah, Dr. Gargash said that the UAE is partnering along with the United States and France, and the outcomes are due to be revealed within a few days.

“From the UAE’s perspective, the important thing for us is to follow up what is going, in consultation with friends and allies to secure our regional security.

“Until then, he continued, “we will be very careful not to speculate.”

When asked to comment on the role Iran plays in ensuring regional stability, Dr. Gargash noted that it is essential for Iran to “address the concerns of the international community.”

He said that it is also “essential” for Iran to address its regional behaviour and actions, and the concerns surrounding its long-term nuclear programme. “It is not enough to go on a public relations campaign,” Dr. Gargash explained.

He said that current developments represent a “formidable challenge” in a bid to “steer the ship away from the current brittle situation.”

“But,” Dr. Gargash noted, “at the end of the day we will defend ourselves, we will ensure the security of our country.”

He affirmed the UAE’s capabilities to ensure its security and stability; however, reiterated that the open conflict scenario should be avoided, “because diplomacy and common sense should do the job.”

Saudi Arabia’s oil pipeline attacked by drones

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia has confirmed Tuesday that two pump stations on its East-West pipeline were attacked by armed drones, however asserted that its supplies and exports of crude oil and products are operating normally without interruption.

Khalid A. Al Falih, Minister of Energy, Industry, and Mineral Resources of Saudi Arabia, said that on Tuesday, 14th May 2019, between 06:00 and 06:30, Pump Stations Nos. 8 and 9 on the East-West pipeline, which carries Saudi oil from the Eastern Province to Yanbu port, were attacked by armed drones, igniting a fire that caused minor damage to Pump Station No. 8, but it was eventually brought under control.

Saudi Aramco took precautionary measures and temporarily stopped operation of the pipeline, as it is evaluating the situation and working on restoring the operations of the affected pump station and the pipeline, according to the Saudi state news agency, SPA.

Al Falih asserted that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia condemns this attack, emphasising that the latest acts of terrorism and sabotage in the Arabian Gulf targeting vital facilities do not only target the Kingdom but also the security of oil supplies to the world and the global economy.

“These attacks prove again that it is important for us to face terrorist entities, including the Houthi militias in Yemen that are backed by Iran,” the minister added.

UAE ‘strongly condemns’ attack on Saudi Aramco’s stations

The United Arab Emirates has strongly condemned the drone attacks on two pump stations on Saudi Aramco’s East-West pipeline. The pipeline transports Saudi oil from the Eastern Province to the port of Yanbu.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, MoFAIC, denounced the “cowardly act of terrorism and sabotage” aimed at undermining the safety of the world’s global energy supplies and economy. It reaffirmed the UAE’s outright support for the Kingdom and for all measures taken to protect the security of its facilities and natural resources.

The ministry stressed that the targeting of the two pumping stations proves once again the importance of addressing terrorist organisations that carry out such subversive acts, including the Iran-backed Houthi militias in Yemen. It called on the international community to play its role in restoring legitimacy in Yemen, and to take the necessary steps to deal with terrorist acts that destabilise the region.

International condemnation of drone attack

The Republic of Tunisia, Al-Azhar Al Sharif, the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies have condemned drone attack against two oil pumping stations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

They said in statements that such acts of terrorism, which seek to undermine the security and stability of the Kingdom, are abhorrent, criminal acts rejected by all divine religions and humanitarian norms and laws.

They also called on the international community to join efforts to confront terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. The statements stressed the need for international solidarity to confront these criminal acts.

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