Crown Prince Naif Bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior, has instructed that prisoners who do not pose a threat and inmates whose imprisonment is pointless should be released. The pardon will cover prisoners who have a month or two more to serve if they are not being held for violating private rights, it was reported in a section of the Arabic press on Monday. The newspaper said the directives were circulated in a letter addressed to the Emirs of all regions and also to the chairman of the Prosecution and Investigations Commission (PIC). The directives said the foreign male and female prisoners should be released and deported immediately to their home countries. However, those imprisoned over charges of violating the security of the Kingdom and those not covered by the Royal Pardon will not be released. The statement stipulated the condition that the remaining jail term for foreigner prisoners should be less than nine months. The conditions also made it crystal clear that foreigners imprisoned in cases involving private rights should complete their jail terms unless they are pardoned by the victims. The release will also not include foreigners jailed for not being able to pay fines amounting to SR50,000 or more. The terms of the release made it clear that there would not be any pardon for persons imprisoned for failing to settle customs charges or for violating the rules and regulations of banks. Under the directives, all released foreigners should be fingerprinted before departure to ensure they would not return to the Kingdom after deportation. The newspaper said the directives were issued to reduce overcrowding of prisons, which has been blamed on lengthy procedures. The directives will remain valid for a month. The statement also noted that the number of foreign prisoners was remarkably high.
