As a kind gesture, a Dubai based Indian businessman has decided to spend 1 million US dollars (3.8 million dirhams) to help free prisoners who are behind bars in UAE due to non-payment of debts.
Firoz Merchant, founder and chairman of Pure Gold Jewellers has already paid 150,000 dirhams for the release of 132 prisoners from Ajman Central jail. He will pay the remaining amount to secure the release of more prisoners.
The money will be utilised to help the prisoners who landed in UAE jails for non-payment of debts or overstaying in the jail despite completing their terms as they do not have the money to return home.
These prisoners are from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Philippines, Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Ethiopia, Syria, Yemen, Oman and Ghana.Merchant said,” These people are unfortunate victims of circumstances and are not real criminals. They have ended up in jail because of debt-related cases and I want to do my best to send them back to their families.”
Merchant's office is making arrangements of air tickets to send them back homes. In addition to this, they are also giving 100 dirhams equivalent of local currency so that the released inmate reaches home safely.