According to the Emirati news agency WAM, the pardon order was given by president Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and it was learned that those released will be deported from the UAE.

An Abu Dhabi court last July convicted 57 Bangladeshi nationals after a protest against the then Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, and her government. Three were sentenced to life imprisonment, while 54 received prison terms of ten to eleven years.

Sheikh Mohamed recently congratulated Muhamad Yunus, an economist and the country’s interim head of government since last August, when he replaced the former prime minister, who resigned due to violent student protests.

It is estimated that around 700,000 Bangladeshis live in the UAE, migrating in search of economic improvements.

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