ABU DHABI: The Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal sentenced 57 Bangladeshi nationals who had gathered and incited riots across several UAE streets on Friday.
Three of the accused received life sentences for calling for demonstrations and inciting riots to pressure their home government. Another 53 were sentenced to ten years in prison, and one, who entered the country illegally and participated in the riot, was given an eleven-year term.
The court also ordered their deportation after serving their sentences and the confiscation of all seized devices.
On Friday, UAE Attorney-General Chancellor Dr. Hamad Saif Al Shamsi ordered an immediate investigation into the arrested Bangladeshis for unlawful assembly and inciting riots.
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The defendants were brought to trial after a team of 30 investigators confirmed their involvement in public gatherings, inciting unrest, disrupting public security, and promoting protests online by recording and sharing footage. Several defendants confessed to their crimes.
The trial, covered by the media, saw the Public Prosecution demanding the maximum penalty. A witness testified that the defendants had organized large-scale marches protesting against decisions made by the Bangladeshi government, leading to riots, disruption of public security, obstruction of law enforcement, and endangerment of public and private property. The police had warned the protesters to disperse, but they did not comply.
The court-appointed defense lawyer argued that the gathering had no criminal intent and that the evidence was insufficient, demanding acquittal. However, the court found enough evidence to convict them.
