Dubai: Hundreds of inmates are being freed from prison across the UAE on the occasion of Eid Al Adha on orders from the Rulers to pardon prisoners who have paid their debt to society.

In Abu Dhabi, the KBZF is helping release prisoners who are unable to pay for tickets to return to their countries. The move comes as per directives issued by President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of KBZF.

The move is being coordinated with the Ministry of Interior to help the inmates, who were sentenced to deportation upon serving their terms, to celebrate Eid Al Adha with their families in their home countries.

The redemptive measures are aimed at giving criminals who have served their time with good behaviour a second chance to begin anew.

In Dubai, 490 prisoners of various nationalities are being freed following an order by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Dubai Attorney-General Essam Al Humaidan said that such a humanitarian gesture reflects Shaikh Mohammad’s keenness to give the prisoners the opportunity to follow the right path and start a new life.

Al Humaidan said that Shaikh Mohammad’s orders will be carried out immediately, adding that the Public Prosecution has started coordination with Dubai Police to implement the orders and ensure prisoners can reunite with their families before the start of Eid Al Adha.

The pardons will have a positive impact on the families, Al Humaidan said, of the pardoned prisoners who will have the opportunity to reintegrate into society.

The Dubai leadership is keen to provide all that is required to strengthen the social fabric of the emirate, he said.

In Sharjah, His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, ordered the release of 132 prisoners on Monday.

His Highness Shaikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman, ordered the release of 72 prisoners on Monday.

His Highness Shaikh Hamad Bin Mohammad Al Sharqi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah, has also ordered the release of 40 prisoners.

His Highness Shaikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, ordered the release of 238 prisoners on the occasion of Eid Al Adha. Shaikh Saud will also settle the financial commitments of the inmates as a result of their court cases.

Shaikh Saud’s order is in line with his keenness to give prisoners a second chance and to alleviate the suffering of their families. Shaikh Mohammad Bin Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince of Ras Al Khaimah, ordered the emirate’s judicial council to carry out Shaikh Saud’s order and necessary procedures for the release of the inmates.

Also, in Umm Al Quwain, His Highness Shaikh Saud Bin Rashid Al Mualla, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Umm Al Quwain, ordered prisoners released on the occasion of Eid Al Adha.

The pardon in Umm Al Quwain, said officials, includes inmates sentenced to prison and those facing fines for varying penalties which have proven their good conduct. Prisoners who have been sentenced to deportation will be sent back to their home countries.

Help for prisoners is also forthcoming from the Beit Al Khair Society which said on Monday that it has settled the debts of 54 prisoners, leading to their release from jail.

Abdeen Al Abadi, general manager of the society, said that the initiative was implemented on the occasion of Eid Al Adha, and is part of the project which aims to settle the debts of prisoners who are unable to pay off their debts or clear their cheques due to personal circumstances.

Al Awadi said that the value of settled debts was Dh1.4 million, and pointed out that the project is constantly being carried out by the society.