KUWAIT: HH theAmir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah issued an Amiri decree pardoningdozens of prisoners held on various charges, the interior ministry said onThursday. The move comes on the occasion of the 58th National Day and the 28thLiberation Day anniversaries, the ministry added in a press statement. Thedecree no. 38/2019 included an immediate release of 161 prisoners as of Feb 25,it said, noting that it also involves the reduction of penalties for 545others. The order contains the lifting of judicial proceedings against 97prisoners (illegal residents) and the dropping of fines against 1,074 others,the statement added.
The Amiri decreecomes after fruitful cooperation amongst the Amiri Diwan, the publicprosecution and the interior ministry to accelerate completing the list ofprisoners, it made clear. The aim of this order is to give a chance to thosewho are released to benefit the society, according to the statement. The Amiriforgiveness is conditional, assistant undersecretary for implementing verdictsMaj Gen Farraj Al-Zokhbi was quoted in the statement as saying. He explainedthat if any of the released inmates commits a crime, they will be jailed again.He expressed his gratitude and appreciation to HH the Amir's initiative.
Meanwhile, Dubaion Thursday celebrated Kuwait's national days with a 170,000 cu ft sandportrait of HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah in the sands ofthe Dubai desert. On his official Twitter account, UAE Vice President, PrimeMinister and Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al-Maktoum posted a clip ofEmirati youth drawing the Amir's photo in the sand. "This image embodiesthe fraternity, unity and strong bonds between the two sisterly nations,"Sheikh Mohammad tweeted.
He stressed that"the love of Kuwait and the Kuwaiti people is engraved in our land, heartsand history. We wish 'the Kuwait of Love' and its Amir, the HumanitarianLeader, a new year of glory, progress and peace". At Dubai airports,volunteers with Kuwaiti flags received arriving Kuwaiti travellers withflowers, sweets and gifts, and greeted them on the occasion.
Kuwait ConsulGeneral in Dubai Theyab Al-Rashidi praised on Friday the brotherly initiativemade by the UAE. Rashidi said in a statement to KUNA that this initiative bySheikh Mohammad affirms the deep and brotherly relations between the UAE andKuwait. "This portrait reflects the personal love Sheikh Mohammad binRashid has for His Highness the Amir," Rashidi said. "The UAE hasregularly surprised us with celebrations of the Kuwaiti national holidays,which always have a special place in Kuwaitis' hearts," he added.