Egypt’s Interior Ministry-run prison authority held a celebration on Tuesday, first day of Eid El-Adha, to announce the names of released debtors – Ahmed Elghaafry/Egypt Today
CAIRO - 21 August 2018: As part of the presidential initiative “Prisons without Debtors” which aim to release all debtors landing behind bars by paying off their debts, the Prison Authority held a celebration on Tuesday, first day of Eid El-Adha, to announce the names of released debtors.
Many debtors extended their thanks to President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi after their release.
Tens of thousands of poor Egyptian women and men spend years in jails not for killing, stealing or selling drugs, but for borrowing money they can’t pay back.
The majority of these imprisoned debtors have debts of not more than $1,000, commonly after falling behind on repayments for domestic items, such as fridges or furniture. Each debt is given a separate penalty by the court, so they could be imprisoned for more than 30 years.
Sisi issued on Monday a decree to pardon several prisoners on the occasion of Eid El-Adha. The decision to release the prisoners was published in the Gazette.
Regarding presidential pardons, they are customary to national and religious occasions. According to article 155 of the constitution, the president is allowed to issue pardons only after a final ruling is issued.
However, the perpetrators of certain crimes are not eligible for pardon. These crimes comprise arms trafficking, terrorism, drug trafficking of more than 10 kilograms, heroin trade regardless of the quantity and revenge killing.
Previously, a total of 2,110 prisoners were released on June 15 per a presidential pardon, while 677 others were out on conditional release, marking the first day of Eid El-Fitr (a religious feast celebrated by Muslims worldwide, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.)This batch of released prisoners included 690 debtors.
Egypt’s Interior Ministry-run prison authority held a celebration on Tuesday, first day of Eid El-Adha, to announce the names of released debtors – Ahmed Elghaafry/Egypt Today
Egypt’s Interior Ministry-run prison authority held a celebration on Tuesday, first day of Eid El-Adha, to announce the names of released debtors – Ahmed Elghaafry/Egypt Today
Egypt’s Interior Ministry-run prison authority held a celebration on Tuesday, first day of Eid El-Adha, to announce the names of released debtors – Ahmed Elghaafry/Egypt Today
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