UAE jails activists, president pardons

Mohammed Al Roken, the lawyer who represents two of the men, said he has received confirmation from the Public Prosecution that all would be freed, a day after they were convicted, The National newspaper reported.

They were granted a pardon by UAE President Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the occasion of the country’s 40th National Day, The Gulf News said.

Ahmed Mansour Ali Abdullah Al Abd Al Shehi, Nasser Ahmed Khalfan bin Gaith, Fahad Salim Mohammed Salim Dalk, Hassan Ali Al Khamis and Ahmed Abdul Khaleq were jailed on Sunday for comments they made on the Internet.

They were all found guilty of insulting the President of UAE, Vice President and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

They were also convicted of breaking laws, refraining from the Federal National Council elections, inciting demonstrations and perpetrating acts that pose threat to state security, a court statement said.

Al Shehi had been sentenced to three years in prison; the rest had been sentenced to two years each.

The five men had no recourse for appeal and got an unexpected pardon.