UAE pardons Israeli woman convicted on drug charges

ANKARA

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Sunday pardoned and released an Israeli woman sentenced to life in prison on drug charges.

Fidaa Kiwan, 44, was arrested in Abu Dhabi in April 2021 for possessing cocaine and cannabis. She was originally sentenced to death, but the punishment was reduced to life in prison.

According to the Times of Israel newspaper, Kiwan has flown back to Israel from the UAE on Sunday.

In 2020, the UAE and Israel signed a US-sponsored agreement to normalize their relations. Since then, top officials from both countries exchanged visits and signed several bilateral agreements.