He is also charged with funding and abetting three terror organisations – Al Qaeda, Ansar Al Sunah and Arab Organisation in Iraq.

Defence counsel Dr Fahad Al Sabhan stated on Monday that the UAE’s law-enforcement authorities had arrested his 43-year-old client, after receiving information from foreign sources that he had direct links with these organisations through electronic modes of communications, by which he relayed critical information and news.

The defendant admitted to have done wrong, but he pleaded not guilty as he had unintentionally logged on to the web site of the Ansar Al Sunah group, an Iraqi rebel group with association with the Al Qaeda network, which claimed responsibility of a number of suicide bombings and kidnappings.

Al Sabhan told Khaleej Times that the verdict on October 12 will not be subject to challenge.

Monday’s hearing was attended by the defendant and his two advocates, Dr. Al Sabhan and Abdul Qadir Al Haithami, who told the court that the defendant had faced the same charges in Lebanon and was acquitted.

“His house and car were searched and no evidence to convict him was found,” he pointed out.

As for his donation of Dh2,000 to a terror organisation to help it fire two rockets at Israel, the advocates said the defendant offered the money to an orphanage through his brother-in-law. The meagre amount could not be considered as financing terrorism and launching of rockets at Israel, they maintained. —adel@khaleejtimes.com