DUBAI – The UAE’s official news agency WAM said that President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has issued an order to pardon 57 Bangladeshi nationals who were charged and sentenced to long prison terms in a case related to gathering and inciting riots to organize protests against their country’s government.
The agency reported that the President’s decision cancels the sentences against the convicts and deports them from the country.
The agency explained that Counselor Dr. Hamad Al Shamsi, the Attorney General of the State, issued a decision to suspend the implementation of the sentence and take measures to deport him from the country.
The Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal convicted 57 Bangladeshi nationals in a fast-track trial in July after they protested against then-Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her government at a time when their country was experiencing demonstrations.
The court sentenced three to life in prison, while 53 others were sentenced to 10 years in prison. Another was sentenced to 11 years in prison, after state media said he had entered the UAE illegally and “participated in the gathering.”
The Public Prosecution accused them of committing “crimes of gathering in a public place and demonstrating against their country’s government with the intent to riot and prevent and disrupt the implementation of laws and regulations.”
Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s pardon comes less than a week after UAE state media reported that the president had congratulated Muhammad Yunus on taking over as interim prime minister of Bangladesh, after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was forced to resign and flee the country following deadly protests.
Bangladeshis are one of the largest communities in the UAE, with a population of about 10 million, most of whom are expatriate residents, while Emiratis make up about 10 percent of the population.
Many Bangladeshis work in low-paying jobs and send money back home to help support their families.
Reuters
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2024-09-04 04:24:23
