The Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeals – State Security Chamber - has convicted members of the organised crime group known as the 'Bahloul Gang' and sentenced them to various prison terms.
The verdicts include life imprisonment for 18 defendants, 15 years for 46 defendants, and 5 years in prison along with a fine of AED 1 million for 16 others.
The court also ordered the confiscation of funds, properties, vehicles and weapons linked to their crimes. Several defendants were acquitted.
UAE Attorney-General Dr. Hamad Saif Al Shamsi had previously ordered the group’s referral to trial for crimes threatening state security, public order and societal safety.
The 'Bahloul Gang', formed with the intent to carry out illegal activities, amassed illicit funds and distributed the proceeds among its members.
The gang operated in certain areas, promoting its crimes on social media and using prohibited weapons to instill fear.
They were also involved in extorting money from victims and money laundering to conceal their illegal earnings.
The UAE has become the second country in the world to approve the use of Itvisma to treat spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in eligible adults and children aged two years and above.
The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) is forecasting partly cloudy to cloudy conditions at times on Saturday, with the chance of convective cloud formation and rainfall in some areas — particularly across the northern and eastern regions.
UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has spoken by phone with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who expressed gratitude for the UAE’s humanitarian support to communities affected by recent floods.
Some flights operating at Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC) were cancelled or delayed on Friday due to adverse weather conditions.
Dubai Police has deployed a number of patrols, while Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has positioned more than 2,000 staff to respond to any emergencies due to the unstable weather conditions.
UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has led messages congratulating Morocco's King Mohammed VI after they won the FIFA Arab Cup 2025 in Qatar on Thursday.