Keralite released from Abu Dhabi jail

An Indian national, who was arrested in Abu Dhabi after a parcel containing drugs was seized from his baggage at the airport when he returned on June 18, was freed from a jail there today.
Shiju Thomas from Kerala was allegedly given the drugs by a friend from Aluva in Ernakulam district, claiming the parcel contained books for another friend in Abu Dhabi.
Aluva police, which investigated the case in Kerala, have arrested four persons, including Amal who handed over the parcel.
Shiju told local TV channels tonight that he was thankful to Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and the union government saying their intervention had helped in his release.

"I am thankful to the Chief Minister and the central government for my release and also thankful to God," he said.
Shiju had come to Kerala on leave following his father's death and was handed over the parcel on June 18 when he took the return flight to Abu Dhabi.

Relatives of Shiju, who hails from Kadamakkudi in Ernakulam district, had met Chandy seeking his early release.
Chandy, who was in Delhi today, met External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj there and discussed Shiju's plight.
Chandy said in Delhi that he discussed with Swaraj the plight of people from Kerala who are languishing in jails in Gulf countries and elsewhere.