Cairo on August 13, 2012

ANHRI denounces, the decision issued by the UAE authorities to add the seven activists, of which their nationality were withdraw, to the case of “the terrorist cell”, which was declared, by the Attorney General in June, that they were arrested.
Yesterday, UAE authorities took a very dangerous step which is a clear violation of all the applicable laws after the authorities decided to add the seven citizens, of which their nationality were withdraw, who refused to sign the declarations of amending their residence after the withdrawal of their nationality. The result is that they are in prison – under the case No. 79/2012, known as the “cell “which was announced by Attorney General UAE of arresting them during last June. They were accused of plotting to carry out acts harmful to State security in collaboration with foreign parties without providing any evidence or allow the defendants to appoint lawyers, in addition to the non-disclosure of details about the incident, which was followed by launching the UAE authorities a campaign of mass arrests against the activists and human rights activists, especially belonging to Islah Association, the number reached 40 activists. In addition to the fierce media campaign directed against activists to tarnish their image in front of public opinion to break up their public support and intimidate any person trying to get close to them or stand next to them.

ANHRI said that “the adding of the seven activists  to the cell’s case is an attempt by authorities to get rid of the seven activists for ever. Especially after the failure of the authorities to force them to leave the country or modify leaves their residence in the country, in an apparent attempt to adapt the law to serve the authorities and help them to get rid of the democracy’s claimants, which is a violation of all laws and prove bad faith of the authorities in the prosecution of politically motivated activists to muzzle the mouths ”

ANHRI demands the immediate release of all the political detainees who were arrested due to the Attorney General announcement of the arrest of the so-called in media the “cell” group and drop all charges against them, as it is an attempt by authorities to silence the mouths of the opposition which call for reform.

ANHRI warns of any harm that could be done to the activists or attack against them in order to obtain a confession under threat of being members of the Cell, which UAE authorities claim that it arrested it and the State shall bear the full responsibility related to their safety.