UAE prisoners given early release for Eid Al Adha

More than 1,000 prisoners across the country are to be given early release in celebration of Eid Al Adha.

In Dubai, 490 inmates will benefit from the move, ordered by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai.

Dubai’s Attorney General, Essam Al Humaidan, said the gesture was a reflection of Sheikh Mohammed’s keenness to give the prisoners the opportunity for a second start at life.

Mr Al Humaidan said the ruling would be carried out immediately, with Public Prosecution having begun to coordinate the releases with the support of Dubai Police.

Beit Al Khair Society said 54 more inmates were released after it settled their debts.

“The move boosts the spirit of solidarity among Emiratis and demonstrates the societal responsibilities of Beit Al Khair Society,” said Abdeen Al Awadi, the charity’s executive director.

In addition, the Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation will cover the deportation costs of 305 inmates.

The inmates have served their sentences in prisons across the country but were unable to pay for plane tickets in order to return home.

The move was ordered by the President Sheikh Khalifa, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Presidential Affairs, and Chairman of the foundation, and is being supported by the Ministry of Interior.

In Fujairah, 40 prisoners will be released, on the orders of the Ruler, Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi. Umm Al Quwain is also set to release a number of prisoners, on the orders of the Ruler, Sheikh Saud bin Rashid, with those who were to be deported as part of their sentence also being sent home.

On Monday, it was announced that more than 200 prisoners in Ajman and Sharjah would be granted early release.

In Sharjah, 132 convicts were pardoned on the orders of the Ruler, Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed. The inmates, of various nationalities, had served half their terms and demonstrated good conduct, the state news agency Wam reported.

In Ajman, 72 prisoners are to be released under the directives of the Ruler, Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid.

In Ras Al Khaimah, Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, has decreed that 238 prisoners be freed.