The Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal has sentenced 57 Bangladeshi nationals for their involvement in riots across the UAE last Friday, WAM reported.
Three defendants received life imprisonment for “calling for demonstrations and inciting riots to pressure their home government,” according to court documents.
Fifty-three others were given 10-year prison terms, while one individual, who entered the country illegally, was sentenced to 11 years.
The court ordered the deportation of all convicted individuals upon completion of their sentences and the confiscation of seized devices.
UAE Attorney-General, Chancellor Dr. Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, had previously ordered an investigation into the incident.
A team of 30 prosecutors confirmed the defendants’ involvement in “gathering in public, inciting unrest, disrupting public security, and promoting such gatherings and protests,” including sharing footage online.
During the trial, a witness testified that the defendants organised “large-scale protests in several streets of the state in protest against decisions made by the Bangladeshi government.”
The witness stated, “This led to riots, disruption of public security, obstruction of law enforcement, and endangerment of public and private property.”
The prosecution sought the maximum penalty for the accused. The court-appointed defence lawyer argued for acquittal, citing lack of criminal intent and insufficient evidence. However, the court found the evidence sufficient for conviction.
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