DUBAI, Oct 9: Thirty Emiratis and Egyptians charged with allegedly setting up an illegal branch of the Muslim Brotherhood are to go on trial in the UAE next month, a newspaper reported on Wednesday.

The United Arab Emirate’s State Security Court will begin the trial of the group, of whom 14 are Egyptian, on Nov 5, Al-Khaleej said.

Prosecutor Ahmed al-Dhanhani has accused the group of having “established and managed a branch for ... the international organisation of Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood, without a permit.” The founders set up an administrative structure aimed at recruiting members for the Muslim Brotherhood, strengthening its presence in the UAE and maintaining allegiance to the main party in Egypt, he said.

The group also “raised money through donations, Zakat (Islamic alms), and membership fees to support” the Brotherhood, he added.

Around a dozen Egyptians, including doctors, engineers and university professors, belonging to the group were arrested between November 2012 and January 2013, according to Human Rights Watch.

The top UAE court in July jailed 69 Emirati Islamists for up to 15 years each on charges of plotting to overthrow the government, at the end of a mass trial criticised by rights groups.—AFP