First group of debtors leaves jail

Authorities on Wednesday began releasing the first group of prisoners who have served time behind bars for failing to pay off debts from Jeddah’s central prison on orders of Makkah Gov. Prince Mishaal bin Abdullah.
“We were tasked with releasing individuals who had satisfied the conditions of their release and who had paid off their dues in one form or another,” said Brig. Ahmed Abdullah Al-Shahrani, director of the central prison, during a press conference.
“Debt-related offenses fall under the private rights category,” he said.
“These debts are being settled through committees formed on the directives of Prince Mishaal, who is keen to see these men spend Ramadan at home with their families.”
Yahya, one of the released prisoners, told Arab News that he is indebted to the Kingdom’s rulers for their humanitarian gesture.