UAE authorities arbitrarily detainees Al-Buraimi despite the expiry of his sentence
The Emirates authorities refused to release prisoner of conscience Saaed Al-Buraime, although his term finished on March 26, 2018, the Emirati Centre for Human Rights said.
This extension of imprisonment is what the authorities call “reconciliation “centers under the pretext of “terrorist danger” without a clear and specific legal basis, time limit, or giving the right to appeal the decision.
The Human Rights Centre confirmed that this measure is another crime against Al-Buraimi after spending five years in prison for practicing freedom of expression and peacefully demanding reform, which is legitimate human rights.
The authorities explain for extending Al-Buraimi detention as “terrorist danger”, according to Article 40 of Law No. 7 of 2014 regarding terrorist crimes. These laws allow for an indefinite extension of their detention. Article 40 (1) of the Anti-Terrorism Law states that “terrorist danger exists in a person if he adopts an extremist or terrorist ideology in such a way that he fears committing a terrorist crime.”
However, this article and the other “anti-terrorism” law remain vague and do not clearly define the terrorist threat, confirming that this arrest is arbitrary.
Al-Buraimi is not alone in this repressive measure, as more than ten other prisoners of conscience are in “counseling “centers in al-Razin prison, despite the expiry of their full sentences between 8 months and three years ago.
Al-Buraimi is 46 years old, married, and father of seven. He served as the director of corporate communication at Sharjah Transport. He was a supporter of the March 3 petition for reform launched by an elite group of Emiratis, including academics, lawyers, judges, teachers, activists, university students, and others, met with severe repression from the UAE authorities, led to the arrest of dozens.
Al-Buraimi was arrested on March 26, 2013, and subjected to enforced disappearance in a secret location for nine months. Then he was subjected to torture and ill-treatment, and then was sentenced by a final judgment that cannot be appealed on March 2, 2014, by the counselor Judge Falah Al-Hajri, Head of the State Security Department at the Federal Supreme Court, to five years imprisonment and confiscation an amount of 150 thousand and 151 dirhams from his home.
Al-Buraimi spent five years in the notorious Al-Razin prison, descried “Guantanamo of the Emirates.” During his detention, he was subjected to harassment and abuse. He was denied Friday prayers for a year, and upon the death of his father on March 8, 2016, the UAE authorities refused to allow al-Buraimi to leave temporarily to attend the funeral and receive His father’s consolation.
