UAE President Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. ARCHIVE

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has granted pardon to Bangladeshi nationals who were involved in protests and disturbances across multiple emirates in July. This decision on Tuesday (September 3) includes the cancellation of all sentences for those convicted and the arrangement for their deportation from the UAE. Following Sheikh Mohamed's directive, UAE Attorney-General Chancellor Dr. Hamad Al Shamsi has issued an order to immediately halt the implementation of the sentences and begin deportation procedures for the individuals involved. Chancellor Al Shamsi emphasized the importance of respecting UAE laws and highlighted that the right to express opinions is safeguarded within the country’s legal framework. He noted that while the UAE supports lawful expression of views, this must not escalate into actions that could threaten public order or the interests of the nation and its people. The pardon follows the events of last July, when 57 Bangladeshi nationals were arrested and subsequently jailed after being found guilty by the Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal. The court had ruled that these individuals were responsible for inciting riots and calling for protests in various streets across the UAE. On July 21, the court sentenced three of the accused to life imprisonment, while 53 others received 10-year sentences. One individual was sentenced to 11 years in prison. The court had also ordered their deportation upon the completion of their sentences. The arrests took place on July 19 after the group was charged with unlawful assembly and instigating public unrest. During the trial, the Public Prosecution demanded the maximum penalties, arguing that the actions of the group were deliberate and disruptive. However, the defense contended that the individuals did not have any criminal intent and sought their acquittal. A thorough investigation by a team of 30 experts confirmed the group's involvement in organizing street protests that targeted the Bangladeshi government. These protests escalated into riots, resulting in disturbances to public security and damage to private property. According to police reports, despite being instructed to disperse, the protesters continued to occupy the streets and even shared videos of the riots online, further inciting unrest.
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