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An Indian businessman in the UAE has nearly 3,700 prisoners in a legal limbo in the United Arab Emirates. The ex-prisoners are from various nations Bangladesh, India, Indonesia and Pakistan. They had all their sentences but in UAE jails because they the money to pay off the debts that led to their imprisonment, and could not the air ticket home. Firoz G. Merchant, 54, owner of the Pure Gold jewellery company, has spent about 3.7 million dirham ($1,000,000) to the prisoners' release. He plans to help out another 1,000 inmates later this year. Mr Merchant said he only helps people who were over unpaid debts.

Philanthropist Mr Merchant said he was to start release prisoners the UAE's economic downturn in 2010. Thousands of construction workers were off and were left with debt from education loans, credit cards and unpaid housing rent. He : "There were a lot of people behind bars, especially labourers….It my eyes that this is my duty." He added that it was important for him to the men returned home in time for Ramadan, which starts in the UAE this year on July 10th. He told reporters: "Ramadan is the month for giving, so I want to put greater effort into these prisoners back to their own countries...and with their families."