The president of the United Arab Emirates has pardoned 57 Bangladeshi nationals who were convicted and sentenced to long prison terms for a rare demonstration in the Gulf country against their South Asian nation, UAE state media reported.
The decision by President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan cancels the sentences of those convicted and those who have been pardoned will be deported from the UAE. WAM reported on Tuesday.
Abu Dhabi’s Federal Court of Appeal convicted 57 Bangladeshis in a speedy trial in July after they protested against then-Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her government amid protests in Bangladesh.
Three Bangladeshi nationals were sentenced to life in prison, while 53 were sentenced to 10 years in prison. A Bangladeshi man, who state media reported entered the United Arab Emirates illegally and “participated in the uprising”, was sentenced to 11 years in prison.
The Prosecutor’s Office had accused the Bangladeshi nationals of “crimes of gathering in a public place and protesting against the government of their country with the intention of inciting riots”.
Sheikh Mohammed’s pardon comes less than a week after UAE state media reported the president was congratulating Mohammed Yunus on becoming Bangladesh’s interim leader after former Prime Minister Hasina was forced to resign and flee the country following violent protests .
Bangladeshi nationals are one of the largest communities in the UAE, a country of around 10 million people where most of the population is resident foreigners. Emirates account for around 10%. Many Bangladeshis in the UAE work in low-paid jobs and send remittances home to help their families.
The UAE’s hereditary leaders tolerate little dissent. Freedom of expression is restricted and groups such as political parties and labor unions are outlawed. Protests are rare.
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