Defaulters freed on Khalifa’s directive

Around 290 Emirati defaulters have so far been released in Abu Dhabi under the orders of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Sheikh Khalifa gave instructions on Oct.25, 2012, for the immediate release of those who have been jailed or convicted over bounced security cheques given to banks or finance companies. The Public Prosecution in Abu Dhabi since that time has taken executive measures to implement the Presidential orders regarding the waiving of criminal protection procedures on security cheques. The Public Prosecution has also shelved all complaints in that respect. The Public Prosecution has also presented a certificate to the beneficiaries to protect them from any future prosecution. The Public Prosecution called on citizens, who have similar cases on courts or been sued by banks or finance companies, to report to its offices across the emirate to rectify their status and receive that certificate. An official source at the Public Prosecution stated that the annulment of the criminal protection on security cheques does not negate its power to prove financial rights of these banks and companies. However, he clarified that these cases will be exclusively processed by civil courts, criminal procedures will be halted and all detainees will be acquitted. He added that the presidential orders don’t consider security cheques issued by individuals which will remain under the criminal protection.