By Federica Ibrahim
Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates have granted amnesty to 152 Egyptian prisoners on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan.
Ambassador Ali Al-Ashry, Foreign Ministry assistant for Consular Affairs and Egyptians Abroad, said the decision came from “the distinguished relationship between Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates”.
Al-Ashry added that the efforts made by missions in those countries was to provide the best care for expatriate Egyptian nationals, especially prisoners, according to the foreign minister’s official page.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in coordination with its missions abroad, succeeded in attaining full amnestyand the reduction of sentences. This included 21 prisoners in Saudi Arabia, 83 in Kuwait and 48 in UAE.
Royal pardons during Ramadan in the Gulf states are customary. Saudi Arabia, however, does not normally grant pardons for those convicted of certain crimes including terrorism and other grave security offences.
