Freedom for Sharjah inmates in debt

SHARJAH // A campaign to help release 43 inmates held for financial problems in 43 days has been launched by the Sharjah Suburbs Council.

Police released 12 prisoners on Saturday as part of the campaign after organisers paid the outstanding money owed by the inmates. It is hoped the drive can raise Dh43 million to held people in the emirate’s jails for financial cases.

“The prisoners released are from different nationalities, they can go home now and be amidst their families,” said Khamis Alsweidi, head of Sharjah Suburbs Council, adding the campaign is part of the celebrations for the 43rd National Day.

Abdullah Bin Khadim, executive director of the council, said they have set up a donations number for Etisalat mobile network users to donate to the campaign.

Residents can donate Dh20 per SMS message sent to 6603. Councils in three Sharjah suburbs, Mughaider, Wasit and Muwaileh, have so far donated Dh100,000 each to kick start the campaign.