More than 500 prisoners in Dubai will be released as part of a series of pardons coinciding with Eid Al Adha.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, said 520 inmates of various nationalities would go free.
In a statement on his official website, he said the ruling would give an “opportunity to people who made a mistake” to move on with their lives.
Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, also ordered the release of 174 prisoners, and Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, ordered the release of 225.
Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Ruler of Umm al Qaiwain, pardoned a number of inmates on Wednesday, although authorities did not provide a number.
The Rulers of the Emirates free prisoners on religious occasions, of which Eid Al Adha is one of the most significant.
Inmates are released for a range of reasons. The freed prisoners typically include many who have committed minor offences and financial crimes, or who have shown good behaviour throughout their sentences.
On Tuesday, President Sheikh Khalifa pardoned 855 prisoners ahead of the Eid holidays.
Eid Al Adha starts in the UAE next week. Employees will enjoy a long weekend with fireworks, parades and other events to mark the festivities.
The lowdown
Bohemian Rhapsody
Director: Bryan Singer
Starring: Rami Malek, Lucy Boynton, Gwilym Lee
Rating: 3/5
How much sugar is in chocolate Easter eggs?
- The 169g Crunchie egg has 15.9g of sugar per 25g serving, working out at around 107g of sugar per egg
- The 190g Maltesers Teasers egg contains 58g of sugar per 100g for the egg and 19.6g of sugar in each of the two Teasers bars that come with it
- The 188g Smarties egg has 113g of sugar per egg and 22.8g in the tube of Smarties it contains
- The Milky Bar white chocolate Egg Hunt Pack contains eight eggs at 7.7g of sugar per egg
- The Cadbury Creme Egg contains 26g of sugar per 40g egg
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Destroyer
Director: Karyn Kusama
Cast: Nicole Kidman, Toby Kebbell, Sebastian Stan
Rating: 3/5
UAE release: January 31
Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
- George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
- Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
- Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
- Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills.
Hunting park to luxury living
- Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
- The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
- Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
