UAE clears US-Libyan father, son of extremist links

AFP , Monday 30 May 2016

Eldarat
FILE- This undated file photo made available by Amal Eldarat, a family relative, shows Kamal Eldarat, left, and his son Mohammed Eldarat. (Amal Eldarat via AP, File)

The UAE's supreme court on Monday acquitted a Libyan-US citizen and his son of terrorism charges, almost two years after their arrest on allegations they financed extremist groups.

Businessman Kamal Eldarat and his son Mohamed were arrested in August 2014, along with other suspects of Libyan origin.

The pair, who later lived in California before moving to settle in the United Arab Emirates, had faced charges of financing and links to Islamist "terrorist" groups in their native Libya.

US embassy officials were present when the verdict was announced on Monday, capping a four-month trial.

"We welcome the court's decision and we are pleased that the Eldarats will be reunited with their family soon," said David Duerden, a spokesman for the US embassy in Abu Dhabi.

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