Sunday, August 4, 2013

Inmates Tell their Stories and Aspire to Settle their Debts



Imprisoned for Financial Issues

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates - Saturday, August 3rd 2013 [ME NewsWire]

Debt-laden and imprisoned for financial problems, prison inmates of the Punitive and Correctional Establishments expressed their hope to be able to settle their debts and be released from prison, thus putting an end to their suffering which was caused by  unavoidable  circumstances that left them with accumulated unpaid debts.

They also expressed  optimism about receiving the help of benefactors and philanthropists who leverage this auspicious month to provide financial assistance to insolvent inmates in the Punitive and Correctional Establishments; thus promoting the spirit of solidarity and social cohesion in the State. . They also expressed their appreciation for the efforts exerted by Al Faraj Fund to end the suffering of many inmates and providing care for their families during their sentence; emphasizing that the UAE, government and people, proved to be  a country of goodness, benevolence, solidarity, and social cohesion.

Regardless of the reasons behind their financial problems, and their circumstances, inmates remain hopeful that they will receive help from benefactors through the Al Faraj Fund, which helps all Punitive and Correctional Establishments’ inmates without discrimination.

Some prison inmates tell their stories and the circumstances that led to their imprisonment. (A.Kh.M) said that he was sentenced to imprisonment for 1 year, and required to settle an outstanding debt of Dhs 250 thousand he owed to the bank. He explained that he was laid off from his job before settling the loan he had obtained to buy the house, where his wife lives with their 7 children.  “I have been in jail for 8 months now; and I’m deeply worried to remain in prison for being unable to settle my debt,” he said; adding that his eldest son is now the sole supporter of the 7-member family, with a minimal wage.

He lauded the Faraj Fund’s efforts and the benevolence of individuals who seek no praise or reward, out of their firm belief that “Truly the Faithful Are to One Another like Components of a Building—Each Part supports the other”.  He noted that he has been in the UAE for more than 35 years, and has never felt like a stranger, stressing that Emiratis are good people that provide help to everyone without exception. “The Faraj Fund reflects their generosity and chivalry,” he concluded.

7 years behind bars

For his part, “Sh.A” who spent 7 years behind bars, said that serving his sentence has not been easy.  He explained that he was arrested for stealing Dhs 200 thousand from a car; and whilst his friends and accomplices were released after paying their dues, he had to remain in prison all those years, waiting for financial assistance to be able to return to his country and to his family who’s unaware of his condition.  “I have been in the UAE for a long time without any family or relatives; that’s why I have been in jail for so long,” he continued.

“Sh” added that he was in desperate need for the money, and that his bad companions lured and helped him carry out this robbery. He emphasized that he deserves this punishment for his wrongful actions, yet he expressed his hope to receive help from the Faraj Fund. “I have learnt my lesson at my own expense, and now I value the freedom that I lost for keeping bad company,” he concluded.

Hoping to return to his family

Inmate (A. J.) expressed his hope to be released from prison and to return to his family. “I have been working hard to provide a decent life for my family, whom I refused to see ever since I got arrested for failing to settle the AED 14,000 car leasing fee to avoid embarrassment,” he noted. 0He pointed out that car leasing companies sign AED 30,000 leasing contract with the lessee, and retain his passport, but they inform the police when the latter fail to pay a billing of AED 14,000; without taking into account his financial or family conditions.

Moreover, he urged young people to abstain from leasing any type of vehicles, even cheap ones; warning against the dreadful consequences of failing to pay. He criticized the unforgiving companies, who flatly refuse to give back the seized passport even in the most difficult circumstances; sadly noting that his mother died and he was unable to attend her funeral, because he was denied his passport.

He stressed that the UAE is a generous and charitable country that has never failed to fulfill its duties towards its citizens and all those in need of assistance, without exception. In this context, he remains hopeful that the Faraj Fund will get him released during this auspicious month, to put an end to this ordeal, which caused psychological and physical harm to his family, for whom he is the sole breadwinner.

Moral Lessons

Whereas (A. M.) narrates with sorrow and grief the tragedy that got him imprisoned for more than three years, and forced him to pay AED 200 000 in blood money (Diya) for the family of the deceased, who was none other than his wife, who he never intended to kill, as he stated.  He emphasized that, even though he had served his sentence, he is still waiting for relief, either from the Fund or any other well-doer, in order to return to his country and lead a normal life as a good citizen. He added that he has learned some lessons in prisons that he would never had learned outside the prison walls.

Bad Business

“There are many reasons, but one outcome,” confirmed (A. M. A.), who holds a Masters degree in computer engineering. He explained that he set up a computer business with a partner, and had to write him a check of AED 250 thousand in lieu of working capital and profitability. “Despite the fact that my partner did not pay me more than Dhs 225 000, he submitted the check guarantee to the police, and didn’t wait for revenues and profits,” he added.

(A.) also noted that the court sentenced him to pay the full amount and to imprisonment for a period of 3 years and a half. “I have served my time, but I remain in jail because I cannot afford the fine and I lost millions, as my business went bankrupt in my absence,” he continued.  Moreover, he blames his recklessness and haste, misjudgment and failure to choose a partner who understands that trade is a business prone to profit and loss.

Finally, (A) praised the Faraj Fund, which managed over the years to bring closure and relief to many inmates, and provide moral support to others. He noted that he was the sole breadwinner for his family, which had to move from Syria to Jordan and then from Jordan to Egypt, where he lost track of them.

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Photo Captions:

Photo 1: Imprisoned for Financial Issues

The Arabic-language text of this announcement is the official, authoritative version. Translations are provided as an accommodation only, and should be cross-referenced with the Arabic-language text, which is the only version of the text intended to have legal effect.

Contacts

The UAE Minister of Interior's General Secretariat, Tactical Affairs and Security Media Department

Abu Dhabi Police GHQ - Security Media

Chris Cron +971-(0)-50-987-1317

E-mail: cron.media@hotmail.com

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