Local businessman to help free expatriate prisoners

Manama : A businessman in the Kingdom has announced that he is seeking the release of 400 expatriates who are behind bars for non-payment of debts and fines imposed by the courts.

The announcement was made by Pure Gold Group Founder and Chairman Feroz Merchant at a press conference held here yesterday.

Merchant confirmed that the initiative is being discussed with Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments and Interior Ministries.

He said that the initiative is similar to a move conducted in the UAE in cooperation with the authorities there.

Merchant informed that the prisoners will include individuals imprisoned for running away from employers, in addition to those jailed because they were unable to clear fines, loans or debts.

While speaking to DT News on the sidelines of the conference, Merchant explained that the group is initially planning to donate BD10,000 every month to serve this purpose.

“I had recently met with Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa and discussed the release of the prisoners, who are still serving sentences in Bahrain’s jails because they’re unable to pay their fines or debts. Furthermore, we’re seeking to help them financially and provide them with air tickets so that they could travel back to their home countries safe and sound,” Merchant told.

 “In the meeting, I informed the minister that for now BD10,000 will be donated every month adding up to BD120,000 every year. Depending on the situation, we could increase the funding budget for this cause, as it’s not about the cost of the funding but to help as many people possible,” said Merchant explaining his plan.

The businessman affirmed that the initiative comes within the group’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and will not include prisoners jailed for serious crimes. Merchant also said that he has been actively working on this cause under the banner of “Forgotten Society” in the UAE along with the authorities there. The initiative aims to help debt-laden prisoners in the UAE jail and have helped release approximately 5500 prisoners.