The United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed has ordered a pardon for the Bangladeshi nationals who were jailed for organizing a protest against their government in the Gulf country, the Emirates News Agency (WAM) reports.
Three Bangladeshi expatriates were sentenced to life, 53 others to 10 years in prison and one to 11 years for participating in alleged protests, WAM said in a previous statement.
Their prison sentences have now been cancelled and the UAE government has arranged to have them deported back to Bangladesh, according to WAM.
In line with the UAE President's directive, the country's Attorney-General Chancellor Dr Hamad Al Shamsi issued an order to halt the implementation of the sentences and commence deportation procedures, the WAM report added.
The Attorney-General also called on all residents of the UAE to respect the country's laws, stressing that the right to express opinions is protected by the state and its legal framework.
He highlighted that the state provides lawful means for expressing views, ensuring this right does not turn into actions that could harm the interests of the nation and its people.
Protests erupted in Bangladesh during a student-led movement against public sector job quotas in July, which later intensified into an uprising against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who resigned and fled to India on Aug. 5 moments before her residence was stormed by hundreds of protesters.
