UAE Court Sentences 43 to Life in Second Largest Trial Amid Criticism

Jul 10, 2024, 03:18 PM

A court in the United Arab Emirates has sentenced 43 Emiratis to life imprisonment for their involvement in a group linked to the Muslim Brotherhood, which was accused of planning terrorist activities. The mass trial, which concluded on July 10, 2024, has been heavily criticized by human rights organizations and U.N. experts for its lack of fairness. The trial involved at least 84 human rights defenders and political dissidents, with sentences ranging from 15 years to life in prison. Prominent figures such as Nasser bin Ghaith and Abdulsalam Darwish alMarzouqi were among those sentenced. Human Rights Watch described the sentences as a mockery of justice, calling for the immediate release of all defendants. The trial is noted as the second largest in UAE history, with at least 44 defendants convicted.