ABU DHABI, May 31, 2012 (AFP) - An Emirati court dismissed on Thursday a lawsuit filed against the interior ministry by seven Islamists whose citizenships were revoked for alleged terror links, the state news agency said.
"The Abu Dhabi Federal Court of First Instance announced today that the appeal of seven persons whose nationalities have been withdrawn by the ministry of interior is inadmissible," WAM news agency reported.
The seven men, who were all naturalised between 1976 and 1986, have been behind bars since April 9 after refusing to obtain new nationalities.
In a rare move, the UAE revoked their citizenships late last year for allegedly threatening the Gulf state's security and safety.
Their lawyer Mohammed al-Roken told AFP that the group will appeal against the Thursday ruling.
It was unclear if the seven men, whom the lawyer said had not met since they were held "52 days ago", will remain in jail.
The UAE has said they were being stripped of their nationality because they "had perpetrated ... acts threatening the national security of the UAE through their connection with suspicious regional and international organisations and personalities."
The men have all identified themselves as members of the UAE's Reform and Social Guidance Association (Al-Islah), which is linked to the Muslim Brotherhood.
They have also signed a petition calling for political reforms which was launched by UAE intellectuals and activists in March 2011.
The UAE, a federation of seven emirates led by oil-rich Abu Dhabi, has not seen any popular protests calling for reforms like those that have swept other Arab countries, including nearby Bahrain and Oman.
However, the government has increased its clampdown on voices of dissent and calls for democratic reforms.
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