Emirates closes terror trial of US citizen

The judge overseeing the case of a U.S. citizen detained in the United Arab Emirates on terrorism-related charges unexpectedly closed a hearing Monday to the public, sparking criticism from an American civil rights group observing the trial.Judge Shahab al-Hamadi gave no reason for closing the hearing after the first court session in June was open to observers and family members of Naji Hamdan; a U.S. diplomatic official was allowed to attend Monday's proceedings...

PICTURE LEFT:Khaled Naji Hamdan, Naji Hamdan's son, left, and his uncle, Merhej Hamdan walk out of the Federal Supreme Court for Naji Hamdan's trial in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Monday July 20, 2009.Naji Hamdan, a 43-year-old American of Lebanese origin, is charged with supporting terrorism, participating in the work of terrorist organizations,and being a member of a terrorist group.Hamdan denied all three charges during his first court appearance in June, 10 months after he was detained by UAE state security forces.U.S. civil rights organizations allege that Hamdan has been interrogated, detained and tried in the UAE at the request of the U.S. government.(AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)