Economic divide fosters discontent in northern emirates

Of the 94 defendants tried in the UAE for plotting to overthrow the government, at least 58 originate from the northern emirates. According to details compiled by the London-based Emirates Centre for Human Rights (ECHR), 28 are from Sharjah, 14 from Ras Al-Khaimah (RAK), eight from Ajman, five from Fujairah and three from Umm Al-Quwain. This compares to 24 from Abu Dhabi and 11 from Dubai. The origins of one defendant were unspecified.