Abdulrahim Abdullah Abdulkarim Naqi Al-Bastaki, born in 1953, holds a BA in Sharia from the Faculty of Sharia and Law, Al-Azhar University in Cairo. He worked as the head of the planning department in the Ras Al Khaimah Educational Region, and as the President of Al-Rahma Association for Charitable Activities.
Like other UAE jurists and academics, Naqi signed the Third of March Petition, submitted to the government with the aim of bringing about reforms in the country.
His apprehension and trial
On October 12, 2012, the UAE security forces arrested Naqi from his home without an arrest warrant. During detention, he was subjected to various forms of torture, degrading treatment, and enforced disappearance. He was placed in solitary confinement and denied his right to legal representation.
On July 2, 2013, the Federal Supreme Court in Abu Dhabi sentenced a group of people, including Naqi, to 10 years imprisonment with additional 3 years of probation. He was brought before court as a member of the “UAE 94” group.
His trial lacked the standards of a fair trial as it witnessed a number of legal violations, including the denial of his right to legal representation, failure to investigate into the arbitrary detention and enforced disappearance he was exposed to. His family never knew where he was until he appeared before court. He was not allowed to see his case file. The final ruling was issued as an unapealable one although there was no material evidence of the charges brought against him that say he was affiliated with a secret illegal organization.
In Al-Razeen prison, Naqi was subjected to various forms of torture and inhumane treatment. He was not allowed to see the sun, practice religious rituals, or visits. Plus, all of his personal properities were confiscated.
