UAE releases Turkish aid worker after more than three years in custody

Turkish aid worker, Mehmet Ali Ozturk, who had been kept in Emirati custody since February 2018, was released on Monday.

According to the report, he was released as part of an annual pardon issued by UAE President, Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan.

"I'm very happy to be back in my country, and be healthy and with my family," Ozturk said.

Ozturk travelled to the UAE in 2018 along with 75 Turkish businessmen to participate in the annual food trade show held in Dubai.

Three days later, he was arrested along with his wife from the hotel for unknown reasons.

His wife was released one day later before being sent back to Turkey.

Ozturk was detained by the UAE's notorious State Security Directorate on 20 February 2018.

He was later sentenced to life imprisonment in Dubai for allegedly “supporting terrorism.”

He was subjected to tough torture and ill-treatment during his 3-year detention.