The president of the United Arab Emirates has pardoned 57 Bangladeshi nationals who were convicted and sentenced to long prison terms for organizing a rare protest in the Gulf country against his South Asian nation, UAE state media reported.
The decision by President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan cancels the sentences of those convicted and those pardoned will be deported from the United Arab Emirates. What are you doing to me? reported on Tuesday.
The Federal Court of Appeal in Abu Dhabi convicted 57 Bangladeshi nationals in a fast-track 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 imprisonment, while 53 others were sentenced to 10 years in prison. One Bangladeshi national, who state media said had illegally entered the UAE and “participated in the riots,” was sentenced to 11 years.
The prosecution charged the Bangladeshi citizens with “crimes of gathering in a public place and protesting against their local government with the intent to incite unrest.”
Sheikh Mohammed's pardon comes less than a week after UAE state media reported that the president had congratulated Muhammad 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 make up one of the largest communities in the UAE, a country of about 10 million people where the majority of the population are foreign residents. Emiratis make up about 10%. Many Bangladeshis in the UAE work in low-paying manual jobs and send remittances home to help support their families.
The UAE’s hereditary rulers tolerate little dissent. Freedom of speech is restricted and groups such as political parties and unions are banned. Protests are rare.
