Are gifts presented to a government employee by his friends in exchange for his help to them, without him soliciting anything in return, considered bribery or unlawful, and what should he do with them if that is the case?

If the gifts are related to the work, then it is not permissible to accept them, based on the Prophet's (peace and blessings be upon him) saying: "Gifts to workers are unlawful acquisition (ghulul)." They must be returned to their owners or their value if they are damaged, or to the public treasury (Bayt al-Mal) if their owners cannot be identified. However, if the gift is from a friend and has no relation to the work, then there is no harm in accepting it.