A court in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has sentenced 43 Emiratis to life imprisonment for terrorist links to the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood, after a mass trial criticized by UN experts and human rights organizations.

The Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal's decision also includes 10-15 year sentences for ten others, with one acquittal and 24 cases deemed inadmissible.

The trial, which began last December, faced criticism for perceived suppression of dissent and alleged fair trial violations.

Most defendants have been in prison since a similar 2013 trial.

UAE authorities assert the charges are distinct from those in 2013.