An Israeli woman who was jailed in the UAE last year for drug trafficking, and who had previously been sentenced to death, has been pardoned and released, according to Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
Fidaa Kiwan’s death sentence was commuted to life in prison, but after Israeli appeals for mercy, she was pardoned by UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan during the holy month of Ramadan.
The UAE government media office has not yet confirmed or commented on the matter. Kiwan is now returning to Israel, and her family claimed that she had been tricked, although details were not provided.
The arrest of Kiwan came after Israel and the UAE established diplomatic relations in 2020, and the lack of an extradition agreement was cited as a hindrance in negotiating her return to Israel.
