Fak Kurba to ensure release of 750 prisoners

Muscat: Kind-hearted lawyers in Oman are planning to release 750 Omanis and expats who were sentenced to prison because of debt.
The campaign, Fak Kurba - which is Arabic for redeeming anguish - was launched by the Oman Lawyers Association (OLA) in 2012. Since then the campaign has helped free more than 400 prisoners around the Sultanate.
Khalifah Al Rahbi a lawyer and member of the Oman Lawyers Association said: “The number of cases that have been released so far was 441. These cases involve citizens and residents of different nationalities. The amounts paid to released persons ranged from OMR100 to a maximum of OMR2,000.
“We have found that some debt cases involve detainees who entered prison because they had to pay debts of less than OMR100, which is very sad,” Al Rahbi added.
Over the years, Fak Kurba has become more popular among the community, receiving larger donations every year.
“The interactions between the community with the campaign this year is remarkable. It seems that the initiative has become known to a large segment of donors, whether institutions or individuals, and we are receiving continuous support from people who have the desire to support the initiative with some funds to help get the prisoners out,” said Al Rahbi.The biggest contribution received by the initiative so far was from Bank Muscat after the company announced its commitment to contribute to the release of 220 detainees who meet the terms of the initiative.
Al Rahma Association for Motherhood and Childhood also donated OMR21,000 to Fak Kurba to release 23 prisoners in order for them to spend the rest of Ramadan and Eid with their families. Similarly, Nizwa Charity Group donated OMR14,000 last week to the initiative.