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Dubai public prosecution to stop confiscating passports under new ‘smart bail’ system

The Dubai Public Prosecution announced on Monday, April 9, that they will no longer confiscate the passports of residents and visitors charged with certain minor crimes.

This comes after their decision to roll out the ‘Smart Bail’ initiative, announced at the Dubai Government Excellence Programme, reported Gulf News.

Under the said initiative, the personal data of those charged with offences will be stored electronically, thus dismissing the need to confiscate said persons’ passports.

An electronic order, however, will be sent to all ports banning the involved individuals to leave the UAE.

Misdemeanors covered by the new rule include bounce cheques, cursing/insulting, breach of trust, drinking alcohol, assault and petit embezzlements and thefts and other minor offences.

The move was done to lessen the cost of of managing confiscated passports and to allow suspects to live a normal life while inside the country.

They will also be allowed to renew their residencies despite being involved in legal actions.

“It will help us remove all passport we have collected before. It will help people do their everyday activities. It will also help us with the cost,” Ali Humaid Al Khatim, Chief Prosecutor of Immigration at the Public Prosecution explained to ARN.

The new rule is set to start across all police stations ‘very soon.’

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