In a controversial decision, the Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal in the United Arab Emirates has handed life sentences to 43 activists after finding them guilty of terror offenses. State media reported that the defendants were convicted of "creating a terrorist organization."

The trial, which has attracted severe criticism from United Nations experts and human rights groups, involved more than 80 human rights defenders and political dissidents collectively known as the "UAE 84." The charges against them included the establishment of a clandestine organization called the "Justice and Dignity Committee" aimed at committing acts of violence and terrorism on UAE soil.

The majority of the defendants were said to be affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood, an Islamist movement that has been banned in the UAE since 2014. The al-Islah party, their local affiliate, also falls under the ban.

According to the official WAM news agency, the Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal pronounced the life sentences on Wednesday, finding the defendants guilty of creating, establishing, and managing a terrorist organization. Additionally, ten other defendants were sentenced to 10 to 15 years in prison for charges related to cooperating with al-Islah and money laundering.

Notably, one defendant was acquitted, and 24 cases were ruled inadmissible. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch (HRW) revealed that the majority of the defendants had already been imprisoned for over a decade following their involvement in the "UAE 94" trial in 2013.

The UAE authorities emphasized that the latest charges were distinct from the ones in 2013, as they now included accusations of financing a terrorist organization. However, Amnesty International criticized the lack of transparency surrounding the trial, noting that the indictment, charges, defense lawyers, and the names of defendants were kept secret by the government. Details only became known through leaks.

HRW identified three of those handed life sentences as Nasser bin Ghaith, Abdulsalam Darwish al-Marzouqi, and Sultan Bin Kayed al-Qasimi. Ahmed Mansoor, a prominent activist, was also among the defendants.

Reacting to the verdict, Amnesty International called on the UAE to revoke the unlawful decision and release those sentenced. They argued that the trial disregarded fundamental principles of law, including the prohibition of trying the same person twice for the same crime and retroactive punishment under laws that did not exist at the time of the alleged offense.

Khalid Ibrahim of the Gulf Center for Human Rights expressed his dismay, stating that it was a tragedy that so many activists and human rights defenders would remain behind bars for decades, unable to witness their children grow up, merely for advocating a better future for Emiratis.

Despite being one of the wealthiest countries in the Middle East and focusing on high-tech sectors and innovations, the UAE continues to impose restrictions on political activities. The federation does not officially recognize opposition or allow political parties. In 2013, nearly 70 Islamists were sentenced to jail for their alleged involvement in a plot to overthrow the government.

The recent court decision has brought concerns about human rights and freedom of expression to the forefront, prompting international observers to call for a reconsideration of the sentences and respect for fundamental legal principles.