President of UAE pardons 737 prisoners, no political prisoners included

Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, president of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has ordered the release of 737 prisoners serving various sentences in the country, ahead of Eid Al Adha.

However, the traditional presidential pardon did not include any political prisoners or online activists although many of them had already completed their prison terms.

Eid Al Adha is a time for Muslims to spend with their families and loved ones. However, dozens of prisoners of conscience in the UAE are denied the joys of celebrating Eid.