ABU DHABI // The President, Sheikh Khalifa, has ordered the release of 442 prisoners on the occasion of Eid Al Adha.
The prisoners who will be released have been serving jail terms for various crimes, state news agency Wam said on Wednesday.
Sheikh Khalifa ordered that the financial obligations of the pardoned inmates be settled.
The move is to allow prisoners who have behaved well an opportunity to start a new life and alleviate the suffering of their families.
In Sharjah, Ruler Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, also pardoned 130 inmates.
Sharjah Police said that inmates who were pardoned had completed at least half of their sentences and shown good conduct and behaviour.
Brig Saif Al Ziri, Sharjah Police’s director, said: “We hope the pardon would encourage inmates to learn from their jail experiences and return to the community as good citizens.”
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