Detainee Mansour al-Ahmadi, formerly disappeared, re-tried under the counter-terrorism law in the “UAE84” mass trial
Name(s):
Mansour Hasan al-Ahmadi
Status:
Arbitrarily detained
Profession:
Employee at the Roads and Transport Authority
Nationality:
Emirati
Date of arrest:
Mansour al-Ahmadi was arrested in October 2012 by Emirati authorities during a campaign of arrests that targeted peaceful dissidents. He was convicted to seven years in prison during the “UAE94” mass trial, but was released nine years later, in April 2021. On June 5, 2023, he disappeared while at the State Security office in Abu Dhabi. On December 7, 2023, a new mass trial began before the Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal, during which al-Ahmadi was retried on new terrorism charges.
In March 2011, after a group of 133 Emirati academics, judges, lawyers, students, and human rights defenders signed a petition addressed to the President of the United Arab Emirates and the country’s Federal Supreme Council calling for democratic reforms, the UAE’s State Security Apparatus (SSA) initiated a campaign of arrests against the individuals who signed the document.
Mansour al-Ahmadi was among them. Arrested individuals were later sentenced in the UAE’s largest mass trial, known as the “UAE94”, before the Federal Supreme Court.
On January 27, 2013, the 94 defendants were charged with founding, organising and administering an organisation aimed at overthrowing the government, on the basis of article 180 of thePenal Code.
On July 2, 2013, the Emirati authorities convicted 61 of the 94 defendants, in addition to eight individuals in absentia. Al-Ahmadi was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment.
In 2014, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) issued Opinion 60/2013, in which it found that the detention of the 61 individuals convicted in the “UAE94” trial was arbitrary.
Al-Ahmadi completed his sentence in October 2019, but under the pretext of “rehabilitation needs”, pursuant to the UAE’s Counter-Terrorism Law and the Munasaha Centre Law, the authorities extended his detention. He was released almost two years after the completion of his sentence in April 2021.
On June 3, 2020, MENA Rights Group submitted an allegation letter to the UN Special Rapporteur on counter-terrorism and human rights and the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention regarding the use of Munasaha centres in the UAE. In this letter, we explained how these centres are being used to detain critics or activists raising the case of al-Ahmadi as he is held in the Munasaha centre in al-Razeen prison.
On March 30, 2023, upon EDAC and MENA Rights Group’s request, the WGAD adopted an Opinion concerning 12 prisoners in the UAE94 case, who are detained under the Munasaha regime. It recognised that their detention is arbitrary, since the 12 individuals were held “owing to their status as human rights defenders and on the basis of their political or other opinion in seeking to hold the authorities to account.”
On June 5, 2023, al-Ahmadi received a call to go to the office of State Security (Federal Authority For Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security) in Abu Dhabi for his periodic investigation. On that day, he went there as instructed.
When he arrived, al-Ahmadi called his brother and asked him to pick up his car. He told him he believed he might be held for a few days. This was the final call he made to his family before entering the building of the State Security.
Since then al-Ahmadi’s fate and whereabouts remain unknown. His family has not received any communication from him, leading to believe he is held incommunicado. Despite efforts made by his family to contact the State Security to obtain information about his situation, they were not given any answer.
On August 28, 2023, the Emirates Detainee Advocacy Center (EDAC) and MENA Rights Group and requested the urgent intervention of the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances, calling on them to urge the Emirati authorities to take action to clarify al-Ahmadi’s fate and whereabouts.
On December 1, 2023, al-Ahmadi was able to call his family from the inside of an unknown facility belonging to the State Security Apparatus (SSA).
On December 7, 2023, a new mass trial began before the Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal, involving 87 defendants. In the inaugural hearing, the charges against al-Ahmadi and his co-defendants were read out, with their reported attendance. Al-Ahmadi and others are charged with new terrorism crimes, namely, for establishing another clandestine organisation for the purpose of committing acts of violence and terrorism on UAE soil.
The second hearing tool place on December 14, 2023, featuring three members of the SSA as witnesses for the Public Prosecution Office (PPO).
On December 19, 2023, MENA Rights Group and EDAC requested the urgent intervention of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism.
The third hearing took place on December 21, 2023, and the entire trial was conducted secretly, with a notable absence of local media coverage.
On January 6, 2024, the Emirates News Agency (WAM) publicly announced that the UAE Attorney General had referred 84 defendants, including al-Ahmadi, to the Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal (State Security) in Case No. 87 of 2023, alleging the establishment and management of a clandestine organisation known as the “Justice and Dignity Committee.”
The proceedings continued in secrecy, with no meaningful public scrutiny and repeated concerns regarding due process and fair trial rights. On January 11, 2024, the fourth hearing reportedly took place with no media coverage, amid allegations of torture and ill-treatment reported by EDAC.
On May 10, 2024, WAM reported that the court set July 10, 2024 as the date to deliver its verdict, following a hearing in which defence submissions and pleadings were heard.
On July 10, 2024, the Abu Dhabi Federal Appeals Court (State Security) issued its verdict and sentenced dozens of defendants to lengthy prison terms. According to WAM, the court convicted 53 defendants, sentencing 43 to life imprisonment, and imposed additional prison terms and heavy fines in connection with allegations including the establishment of the “Justice and Dignity Committee” and related financing activities.
On March 4, 2025, the State Security Chamber of the Federal Supreme Court rejected the appeal, formed by 53 defendants, thereby upholding the 43 life sentences, five sentences of 15 years and five sentences of 10 years.
On June 26, 2025, the Criminal Chamber of the Federal Supreme Court overturned the earlier judgment from July 10, 2024 and increased the number of life imprisonment sentences to 67. Accordingly, the final judgment provides 67 life sentences, five sentences of 15 years, five sentences of 10 years, one acquittal and the conviction of six institutions with their assets confiscated.
UN experts have repeatedly expressed serious concerns regarding the UAE84 case, including calls on Emirati authorities to refrain from prosecuting the defendants on grounds of incompatibility with international human rights standards. Following the imposition of life sentences, experts expressed dismay over the severity of the sentences handed down. Further alarm has since been raised over the prolonged arbitrary detention and alleged ill-treatment of individuals implicated in the case.
| Name(s): |
Mansour Hasan al-Ahmadi
|
| Status: |
Arbitrarily detained
|
| Profession: |
Employee at the Roads and Transport Authority
|
| Nationality: |
Emirati
|
| Date of arrest: |
|
In March 2011, after a group of 133 Emirati academics, judges, lawyers, students, and human rights defenders signed a petition addressed to the President of the United Arab Emirates and the country’s Federal Supreme Council calling for democratic reforms, the UAE’s State Security Apparatus (SSA) initiated a campaign of arrests against the individuals who signed the document.
Mansour al-Ahmadi was among them. Arrested individuals were later sentenced in the UAE’s largest mass trial, known as the “UAE94”, before the Federal Supreme Court.
On January 27, 2013, the 94 defendants were charged with founding, organising and administering an organisation aimed at overthrowing the government, on the basis of article 180 of thePenal Code.
On July 2, 2013, the Emirati authorities convicted 61 of the 94 defendants, in addition to eight individuals in absentia. Al-Ahmadi was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment.
In 2014, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) issued Opinion 60/2013, in which it found that the detention of the 61 individuals convicted in the “UAE94” trial was arbitrary.
Al-Ahmadi completed his sentence in October 2019, but under the pretext of “rehabilitation needs”, pursuant to the UAE’s Counter-Terrorism Law and the Munasaha Centre Law, the authorities extended his detention. He was released almost two years after the completion of his sentence in April 2021.
On June 3, 2020, MENA Rights Group submitted an allegation letter to the UN Special Rapporteur on counter-terrorism and human rights and the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention regarding the use of Munasaha centres in the UAE. In this letter, we explained how these centres are being used to detain critics or activists raising the case of al-Ahmadi as he is held in the Munasaha centre in al-Razeen prison.
On March 30, 2023, upon EDAC and MENA Rights Group’s request, the WGAD adopted an Opinion concerning 12 prisoners in the UAE94 case, who are detained under the Munasaha regime. It recognised that their detention is arbitrary, since the 12 individuals were held “owing to their status as human rights defenders and on the basis of their political or other opinion in seeking to hold the authorities to account.”
On June 5, 2023, al-Ahmadi received a call to go to the office of State Security (Federal Authority For Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security) in Abu Dhabi for his periodic investigation. On that day, he went there as instructed.
When he arrived, al-Ahmadi called his brother and asked him to pick up his car. He told him he believed he might be held for a few days. This was the final call he made to his family before entering the building of the State Security.
Since then al-Ahmadi’s fate and whereabouts remain unknown. His family has not received any communication from him, leading to believe he is held incommunicado. Despite efforts made by his family to contact the State Security to obtain information about his situation, they were not given any answer.
On August 28, 2023, the Emirates Detainee Advocacy Center (EDAC) and MENA Rights Group and requested the urgent intervention of the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances, calling on them to urge the Emirati authorities to take action to clarify al-Ahmadi’s fate and whereabouts.
On December 1, 2023, al-Ahmadi was able to call his family from the inside of an unknown facility belonging to the State Security Apparatus (SSA).
On December 7, 2023, a new mass trial began before the Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal, involving 87 defendants. In the inaugural hearing, the charges against al-Ahmadi and his co-defendants were read out, with their reported attendance. Al-Ahmadi and others are charged with new terrorism crimes, namely, for establishing another clandestine organisation for the purpose of committing acts of violence and terrorism on UAE soil.
The second hearing tool place on December 14, 2023, featuring three members of the SSA as witnesses for the Public Prosecution Office (PPO).
On December 19, 2023, MENA Rights Group and EDAC requested the urgent intervention of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism.
The third hearing took place on December 21, 2023, and the entire trial was conducted secretly, with a notable absence of local media coverage.
On January 6, 2024, the Emirates News Agency (WAM) publicly announced that the UAE Attorney General had referred 84 defendants, including al-Ahmadi, to the Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal (State Security) in Case No. 87 of 2023, alleging the establishment and management of a clandestine organisation known as the “Justice and Dignity Committee.”
The proceedings continued in secrecy, with no meaningful public scrutiny and repeated concerns regarding due process and fair trial rights. On January 11, 2024, the fourth hearing reportedly took place with no media coverage, amid allegations of torture and ill-treatment reported by EDAC.
On May 10, 2024, WAM reported that the court set July 10, 2024 as the date to deliver its verdict, following a hearing in which defence submissions and pleadings were heard.
On July 10, 2024, the Abu Dhabi Federal Appeals Court (State Security) issued its verdict and sentenced dozens of defendants to lengthy prison terms. According to WAM, the court convicted 53 defendants, sentencing 43 to life imprisonment, and imposed additional prison terms and heavy fines in connection with allegations including the establishment of the “Justice and Dignity Committee” and related financing activities.
On March 4, 2025, the State Security Chamber of the Federal Supreme Court rejected the appeal, formed by 53 defendants, thereby upholding the 43 life sentences, five sentences of 15 years and five sentences of 10 years.
On June 26, 2025, the Criminal Chamber of the Federal Supreme Court overturned the earlier judgment from July 10, 2024 and increased the number of life imprisonment sentences to 67. Accordingly, the final judgment provides 67 life sentences, five sentences of 15 years, five sentences of 10 years, one acquittal and the conviction of six institutions with their assets confiscated.
UN experts have repeatedly expressed serious concerns regarding the UAE84 case, including calls on Emirati authorities to refrain from prosecuting the defendants on grounds of incompatibility with international human rights standards. Following the imposition of life sentences, experts expressed dismay over the severity of the sentences handed down. Further alarm has since been raised over the prolonged arbitrary detention and alleged ill-treatment of individuals implicated in the case.
