Foreign Ministry: Two inmates released on humanitarian grounds

Manama, May 9 (BNA): The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary, Ambassador Abdulla Abdullatif Abdulla, said that the ministry is following up the cases of two prisoners holding foreign nationalities who were convicted in criminal cases. Reports have been prepared with the knowledge of the Ombudsman's Office about the cases of Zainab Abdulhadi Al Khawaja who was sentenced to three years and one month, and Arina Bajtova, sentenced to two years and ten days. The reports stated that the two women were serving their sentences while looking after their children aged 16 months and four years respectively. Each woman was placed in an independent room in a ward dedicated to mothers. The room comprises two beds and one bed for children. All means of comfort are provided for the children who regularly undergo medical checkups to ensure they are provided with comfort and care. However, due to the humanitarian situation of the small children, the possibility of negative repercussions that may affect them in a place of punishment, the conditions of psychological instability for the caretakers, and in line with the implementation of the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code that take into account the principles of humanity in the application of jail sentences, the relevant authorities have decided to stop the implementation of the punishment of each of the two prisoners and to release them. All appropriate action will be taken towards them, in consideration of their situation and humanitarian principles.