Trial, sentence over photos of forbidden areas

Abu Dhabi // A Japanese man faces state security charges today and an Iranian man was sentenced to a month in prison after prosecutors in separate cases said they took photographs in forbidden areas. 

HTT was arrested two months ago on suspicion of taking a few photographs of machines in Khalifa Port in the Taweelah industrial area. HTT confessed before the State Security Court this morning, but added he did not see any signs banning him from taking pictures.

His lawyer told the court the man did not have a criminal intent and reiterated that he did not know taking pictures in the area was illegal. 

In separate case, an Iranian man was sentenced to one month in prison for taking photographs of the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi.  

The sentence was handed down this morning by Chief Justice Shehab al Hammadi in the State Security Court.

The defendant, RAS, has been in prison for three months. He came to the country on a visit visa and was arrested two days after he arrived. 

He also told the court he did not see any signs banning photography in the vicinity. 

hhassan@thenational.ae