President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has granted a pardon to 25 Bangladeshi citizens previously convicted in the UAE, the UAE Embassy in Dhaka announced on Sunday.

The clemency came following a request from Bangladeshi government for the release of its nationals who had been arrested in the UAE in connection with events linked to July 2024 mass uprising in Bangladesh.

All 25 individuals, sentenced by UAE courts, have now been pardoned and have returned home to Bangladesh.

The Bangladeshi expatriates had been detained at various times in the UAE during the aftermath of July uprising.

According to the embassy, the pardon reflects the UAE leadership’s commitment to compassion, tolerance and justice, and highlights the strong, brotherly ties between the United Arab Emirates and Bangladesh.

The UAE has previously extended similar pardons to Bangladeshi expatriates detained for rare protests, reinforcing its humanitarian approach, the press release added.