The photo has been used for illustrative purposes.

Hamza M Sengendo, Staff Reporter

Two philanthropists paid Dhs2 million to pay off debts of 21 inmates and secure their release from Dubai jails, Dubai Police said on Monday.

The General Department of Punitive and Correctional Institutions in cooperation with two philanthropists eased the burden of inmates imprisoned over commercial cases, disputes, bank loans among other issues.

“The department’s management received Dhs1,086,129 from the first benefactor,” said the institutions’ Director General Brigadier Ali Mohammad Al Shamali. “The sum contributed to the release of four inmates. The second benefactor paid Dhs916, 613 for the release of 17 inmates.”

Brigadier Al Shamali confirmed the Dubai Police General Command is keen to conclude cooperation agreements with charitable organisations and bodies and increase efforts to expand its humanitarian work. He said the move is part and parcel of celebrations of the Year of Tolerance launched by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, may God protect him.

Brigadier Al Shamali commended the humanitarian gesture of both benevolent persons and their positive feelings that resulted in the release of 21 inmates to return to their families and reunite with beloved ones.

“These humanitarian initiatives are an example to be followed, of the solidarity of the members of the UAE society and a compliment to concerted efforts of governmental and private institutions,” he stressed. The head of the correctional institutions’ Humanitarian Care Department Lt. Habib Husain Al Zarouni noted that the donations helped release inmates stranded behind bars by obligations towards banks and individuals.

Al Zarouni pointed out that one of the released inmates was working in the UAE in the nineties and left in 1998. He was transiting through Dubai International Airport this year to an Asian country when he was netted.

“The reason was his failure to pay obligations incurred on a credit card issued in his name which accumulated interest since 1998. The value exceeded Dhs50,000. The donations saw him return to his homeland and family.”