“UAE94” detainee Khalid al-Shaiba al-Nuaimi resentenced for allegedly establishing a terrorist organisation in “UAE84” new mass trial
Name(s):
Khalid Mohammad al-Shaiba al-Nuaimi
Status:
Arbitrarily detained
Year of birth:
1951
Profession:
Head of the Guidance and Social Counselling Association
Nationality:
Emirati
Date of arrest:
On July 16, 2012, Khalid Mohammad al-Shaiba al-Nuaimi was arrested as part of the UAE’s comprehensive crackdown on the “UAE94”. On July 2, 2013, the Federal Supreme Court sentenced al-Nuaimi to ten years’ imprisonment, for acts related to the exercise of his rights to freedom of expression and of association. In 2013, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention issued Opinion No. 60/2013, urging the authorities to release him immediately. However, he remains arbitrarily detained in al-Razeen prison. On December 7, 2023, a new mass trial began before the Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal, during which al-Shaiba al-Nuaimi was re-sentenced on the same terrorism-related charges.
In March 2011, the UAE carried out a comprehensive crackdown on the Reform and Social Guidance Association (al-Islah). In 2013, the UAE then engaged in a controversial mass trial of 94 individuals commonly referred to as the “UAE94”; 94 intellectuals, activists, and human rights defenders who had openly criticised the Emirati government. All of them were accused of having ties with al-Islah.
On July 16, 2012, al-Nuaimi was arrested as part of the “UAE94”. Subsequently, he was detained in solitary confinement in a secret location for eight months, where he was subjected to torture and ill-treatment. During these eight months, al-Shaiba al-Nuaimi was deprived of his right to see his lawyer and to receive visits by his family.
On March 4, 2013, the trial of al-Shaiba al-Nuaimi before the State Security Chamber within the Federal Supreme Court in Abu Dhabi began. He was informed of the vague charges brought against him, namely “establishing and running a secret organisation seeking to oppose the basic principles of the UAE system of governance and to seize power and having links and affiliations to organisations with foreign agendas”. On March 9, 2013, he was transferred to Al Razeen prison.
On July 2, 2013, al-Shaiba al-Nuaimi was sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment, followed by three years’ probation. He was denied the right to appeal to a higher jurisdiction.
On November 22, 2013, The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention adopted Opinion No. 60/2013 and considered the detention of al-Shaiba al-Nuaimi to be arbitrary. It described, inter alia, that the arrest had resulted from the exercise of the rights to freedom of opinion and expression and to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
Despite the request of the Working Group to release al-Shaiba al-Nuaimi and to provide him with compensation, he is currently still detained at al-Razeen prison.
On May 21, 2014, a letter jointly written by family members of “UAE94” detainees was delivered to the Minister of Interior. It detailed the violations suffered by the detainees in al-Razeen prison, such as mistreatment by prison guards, among others, regular placement in solitary confinement and malnutrition. The Ministry has not responded to the letter, nor have other complaints addressed to police officials, prison administration members or UAE leaders been answered.
On March 9, 2021, MENA Rights Group submitted follow-up information on al-Shaiba al-Nuaimi’s situation to the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. Since the issuance of the Opinion, his family is frequently prevented from visiting him for several months and he has been placed in solitary confinement.
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, in March 2020, al-Shaiba al-Nuaimi’s family has been prevented from visiting him in prison, despite the protective glass barriers put up between the detainees and visitors. He is deprived of calls with his family for weeks at a time.
On June 12, 2023, al-Nuaimi made a final call to his family from within al-Razeen Prison.
On September 12, 2023, MENA Rights Group 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-Shaiba al-Nuaimi’s fate and whereabouts.
He should have been released on October 16, 2023, but remained in detention.
On December 1, 2023, al-Shiba al-Nuaimi 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-Shiba al-Nuaimi and his co-defendants were read out, with their reported attendance. Al-Shiba al-Nuaimi and others are being 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 took place on December 14, 2023, wherethree members of the SSA testified as witnesses for the Public Prosecution Office (PPO).
On December 19, 2023, MENA Rights Group and the Emirates Detainees Advocacy Center (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-Shaiba al-Nuaimi, 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): |
Khalid Mohammad al-Shaiba al-Nuaimi
|
| Status: |
Arbitrarily detained
|
| Year of birth: |
1951
|
| Profession: |
Head of the Guidance and Social Counselling Association
|
| Nationality: |
Emirati
|
| Date of arrest: |
|
In March 2011, the UAE carried out a comprehensive crackdown on the Reform and Social Guidance Association (al-Islah). In 2013, the UAE then engaged in a controversial mass trial of 94 individuals commonly referred to as the “UAE94”; 94 intellectuals, activists, and human rights defenders who had openly criticised the Emirati government. All of them were accused of having ties with al-Islah.
On July 16, 2012, al-Nuaimi was arrested as part of the “UAE94”. Subsequently, he was detained in solitary confinement in a secret location for eight months, where he was subjected to torture and ill-treatment. During these eight months, al-Shaiba al-Nuaimi was deprived of his right to see his lawyer and to receive visits by his family.
On March 4, 2013, the trial of al-Shaiba al-Nuaimi before the State Security Chamber within the Federal Supreme Court in Abu Dhabi began. He was informed of the vague charges brought against him, namely “establishing and running a secret organisation seeking to oppose the basic principles of the UAE system of governance and to seize power and having links and affiliations to organisations with foreign agendas”. On March 9, 2013, he was transferred to Al Razeen prison.
On July 2, 2013, al-Shaiba al-Nuaimi was sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment, followed by three years’ probation. He was denied the right to appeal to a higher jurisdiction.
On November 22, 2013, The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention adopted Opinion No. 60/2013 and considered the detention of al-Shaiba al-Nuaimi to be arbitrary. It described, inter alia, that the arrest had resulted from the exercise of the rights to freedom of opinion and expression and to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
Despite the request of the Working Group to release al-Shaiba al-Nuaimi and to provide him with compensation, he is currently still detained at al-Razeen prison.
On May 21, 2014, a letter jointly written by family members of “UAE94” detainees was delivered to the Minister of Interior. It detailed the violations suffered by the detainees in al-Razeen prison, such as mistreatment by prison guards, among others, regular placement in solitary confinement and malnutrition. The Ministry has not responded to the letter, nor have other complaints addressed to police officials, prison administration members or UAE leaders been answered.
On March 9, 2021, MENA Rights Group submitted follow-up information on al-Shaiba al-Nuaimi’s situation to the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. Since the issuance of the Opinion, his family is frequently prevented from visiting him for several months and he has been placed in solitary confinement.
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, in March 2020, al-Shaiba al-Nuaimi’s family has been prevented from visiting him in prison, despite the protective glass barriers put up between the detainees and visitors. He is deprived of calls with his family for weeks at a time.
On June 12, 2023, al-Nuaimi made a final call to his family from within al-Razeen Prison.
On September 12, 2023, MENA Rights Group 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-Shaiba al-Nuaimi’s fate and whereabouts.
He should have been released on October 16, 2023, but remained in detention.
On December 1, 2023, al-Shiba al-Nuaimi 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-Shiba al-Nuaimi and his co-defendants were read out, with their reported attendance. Al-Shiba al-Nuaimi and others are being 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 took place on December 14, 2023, wherethree members of the SSA testified as witnesses for the Public Prosecution Office (PPO).
On December 19, 2023, MENA Rights Group and the Emirates Detainees Advocacy Center (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-Shaiba al-Nuaimi, 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.
