ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — A judge has sparked criticism for unexpectedly closing the trial of a U.S. citizen detained in the United Arab Emirates on terrorism-related charges.
The American Civil Liberties Union says a closed-door hearing for Naji Hamdan is a “travesty of justice.”
Judge Shahab al-Hamadi gave no reason for reversing course Monday after the first court session in June was open to the public.
The ACLU has accused the U.S. government of secretly pushing Hamdan’s case through Emirati courts for lack of evidence to convict him at home.
Hamdan, who was born in Lebanon, has denied the charges against him.
No date has been set for the court verdict.
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