Saudi Gazette report

JEDDAH — More than SR30 million collected by Saudi citizens and expatriates were used to help some 467 prisoners of financial causes walk out of jails in various parts of the Kingdom since Ramadan 24 (May 29), local daily Al-Madina reported on Wednesday quoting Interior Ministry's sources.

The initiative was launched by Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz Bin Saud under the title Furijat (Happy Ending) to help release inmates locked in for financial violations.

The donations were deposited through Absher electronic gate of the ministry and ranged from SR100 to more than SR1 million.

The minister said the initiative was aimed at involving the society in assisting convicts and detainees for financial causes.

The initiative was warmly welcomed by the society which interacted with it favorably on the social media.

Prisoners from 25 countries have benefited from the initiative consisting of 37 percent Saudis, 12 percent Pakistanis, 10 percent Yemenis, six percent Egyptians and five percent Bangladeshis.

Some 163 prisoners were released in Makkah, 84 in Riyadh 67 in the Eastern Province, 28 in Hail and 23 in Asir.