UAE releases hundreds of prisoners to mark Eid

Hundreds of prisoners across the United Arab Emirates have been released from prison to mark the occasion of Eid Al Adha, official news agency WAM has reported.

Dubai’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has ordered the release of 490 prisoners of various nationalities from the emirate’s punitive and corrective institutions.

Dubai attorney general Essam Al Humaidan said that the Public Prosecution is coordinating with Dubai Police to implement the orders and ensure the prisoners can reunite with their families for Eid al-Adha.

He also said the pardon will have a positive impact on the families of the pardoned prisoners who will have the opportunity to reintegrate into society.

The gesture reflects Sheikh Mohammed’s keenness to give the prisoners the opportunity to follow the right path and start a new life, he added.

Meanwhile in Sharjah, 132 prisoners have been pardoned under orders from the ruler Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi and Ajman’s ruler Sheikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi also ordered the release of 72 prisoners on the occasion of Eid Al Adha.

Fujairah’s ruler Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi also ordered the release of 40 prisoners of different nationalities who showed good conduct while serving their jail terms, WAM reported. Commander-in-chief of Fujairah Police Brigadier Mohammed Ahmed bin Ghanim Al Kaabi said that he hoped that the clemency would be a motivation for those released to begin a new and righteous life.

The ruler of Ras Al Khaimah Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi also pardoned 238 prisoners of various nationalities and also pledged to bear the financial obligations as result of enforcement of these sentences, WAM said.

Public prosecutor in RAK Counsellor Hassan Saeed Muhammed said the move would grant the released prisoners an opportunity to be re-integrated into the community and bring happiness and joy to their families.

Meanwhile Abu Dhabi’s Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation is also helping release prisoners who are unable to pay for tickets to return to their countries as per directives issued by UAE President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The move is being coordinated with the Ministry of Interior to help inmates who were sentenced to deportation upon serving their terms, WAM reported.

Several Islamic countries pardon prisoners on the occasion of the Eid Al Adha festival as a gesture of goodwill.

On Wednesday, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi pardoned 100 prisoners including three Al Jazeera television journalists who were sentenced to three years for operating without a press license and broadcasting material harmful to Egypt.