Dubai // Hunger striker Zack Shahin, the former Deyaar chief executive charged with misusing his powers and approving bids in return for millions, was granted bail this morning by the Dubai Criminal Court.
Mr Shahin, an American, had been on a hunger strike since May in an effort to be released on bail from Dubai central jail, where he has been awaiting trial on charges of theft and fraud involving more than Dh300 million. He has been in jail since March 2008.
Mr Shahin's legal team in the US had launched a public-relations campaign calling for the president, Barack Obama, and the secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, to intervene.
He was released on the condition that he submits his passport and that of a sponsor. There will be a penalty of Dh5 million if bail is violated.
The next hearing was scheduled for July 23.
