JEDDAH: The government has released 17 people who had been held at Najran Prison since 2000 for taking part in anti-government riots in a Ramadan amnesty announced by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah. Najran Gov. Prince Mishaal bin Abdullah said the release came after Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior Prince Naif set them free following the king’s directive. “I am now following up the release of those prisoners who are qualified to be set free under the royal amnesty,” the governor told Arab News. He said a committee has been set up to identify prisoners who qualify for the amnesty.
“We started the amnesty in Najran with the release of 29 people imprisoned for public rights. It was followed by the release of 17 prisoners who had taken part in the Najran incidents,” said Prince Mishaal, who has played a big role in winning the release of the 17.
King Abdullah ordered the release of the 17 about six months before the end of their 10-year jail sentence as part of a broader royal pardon for hundreds of prisoners to mark the start of Ramadan.
Those released were Muhammad Haidar, Saleh Al-Abbas, Salim Al-Abbas, Turki Al-Jafar, Ali Al-Mansour, Ali Al-Salim, Ibrahim Al-Ishaq, Abdullah Al-Badri, Muhammad Al-Daghrir, Muhammad Al-Futaih, Hussein Al-Futaih, Manie Al-Raka, Saad Al-Raka, Duhaiman Al-Qahs, Abdullah Al-Qahs, Dawas Al-Salim and Mahdi Al-Mused.
The released prisoners thanked King Abdullah for his kindness. “This day will remain in our minds forever,” said Abdullah Al-Qahs after his release on Monday.
“We are very happy that we can enjoy this Ramadan with our family,” he said.
Ibrahim Al-Ishaq thanked King Abdullah, Crown Prince Sultan and Prince Naif for the release. “I will not be able to sleep until I meet Prince Mishaal to thank him for his efforts for our release,” he added.
The release of the 17 was welcomed not only by their families and relatives but also by the people of Najran who expressed their happiness and commended the Saudi leadership’s magnanimity.
Prince Mishaal urged all prisoners to make use of education and training provided them by the government while in prison on their release.
Maj. Gen. Ali Al-Harithy, director general of prisons, said the royal amnesty would cover not only Saudis but also expatriates arrested for violating public rights. He said prisoners of private rights have to pay those rights to qualify for the amnesty.
“Prisons in the Kingdom concentrate on spiritual and religious programs during Ramadan and encourage inmates to engage in good deeds,” Al-Harithy told Arab News.
