7 inmates released after clearance of outstanding debt

JUBA – About 7 prisoners have been released after Somali Business Community in South Sudan in partnership with Islamic Council paid the debt of 267,500 South Sudanese Pounds.

The prisoners were convicted for minor offenses.

They are Emmanuel Kenyi Justin, Bol Maluen Koul, Atar Ben Atybi, Gore Jackson Gore, Peter Akoc Madit, Simon Lemi Laku and Bol Deng Luk.

Major Gen. Bak Anyar Longor, Deputy Director of Juba Central Prison said the inmates will be release with immediate effect.

“We are going to release them because their debt has already paid by Somali Community through Islamic Council of South Sudan,” Anyar told journalists on Tuesday in Juba Central Prison.

“Weeks ago, they (Somali Community) came to us and they requested that they are going to pay the fine of prisoners who have been fined with small amount from 50,000 SSP downward,” Anyar added.

Abdulla Hassan Ali, Chief Executive Office of Somali Business Association said the prisoners whom they facilitated their released have already served their jail terms.

“In collaboration with Islamic Council and Juba Central Prison, we have today (Tuesday) facilitated the release of 7 prisoners who have already served their jail terms but only failed to pay their respective fines. We have succeeded in paying those fines,” Hassan said.

Hassan said they are only facilitating the release of those who have committed minor offense.

“It is the Somali people who have contributed this amount of money to facilitate the release of this people because it is now Eid el Fitr and we want these people to participate and be part of community again,” he said.

“All prisoners are not criminals, some of them are there because of minor offense and they have already served their jail terms and they only failed to pay their fines. We are going to support those who are not criminals and those who have been in prison for minor offenses.”