A rare mass trial of 41 radical Islamists accused of seeking to overthrow the government and links with “terrorists” opened on Monday in the United Arab Emirates, official media reported.
WAM news agency said the hearing at the state security court in Abu Dhabi was devoted to procedural measures, including the appointment of lawyers.
The judge adjourned the trial to September 28.
Earlier this month, the prosecutor general accused the defendants, who include both Emiratis and foreigners, of plotting attacks aimed at trying to “seize power and establish a caliphate”.
He also accused them of creating a group “with a terrorist, takfiri (extremist) ideology”.
Takfiris regard Muslims who do not follow their extreme interpretation of Islam as apostates who can be killed.
The self-styled Islamic State group, which has set up a “caliphate” on territory it has captured in Syria and Iraq, follows the takfiri ideology, as does al Qaeda.
It was not immediately clear if the 41 suspects were accused of links to either group.
However, the prosecutor has said they were in touch with “foreign terrorist organisations… to help them achieve their goal.”
The defendants, who could face the death penalty if found guilty, are also accused of setting up cells to train members in handling weapons and explosives in preparation for attacks in the UAE.
Authorities reported their arrest on August 2 and prosecutors immediately levelled the accusations against them and said they would face trial.
Such mass trials on terrorism charges are rare in the UAE which has largely been spared the Islamic militancy that has hit other Arab states.
